i carried my heart unbuttoned across the lonely stage

[invoking]

WHO: GIL and YOU
WHERE: various places around the City
WHEN: 6/10 to 6/14
WARNINGS: n/a for now
SUMMARY: a week in the life of Gil or something.
FORMAT: quick to start and then tagger's choice.

➊ bookstore

[ Well, the past couple of weeks have been something of a doozy. Between the assault on NOHoPE, incredibly vulgar and awkward voice messages from Kenzi, and accidentally storming in on a friend getting intimate with someone he barely approved of, he welcomes practically with open arms the mundane, quiet few days that follow after all that. He's used to this pattern by now; it gets quiet, almost normal around here, and then something big and potentially disastrous happens and he finds himself right smack in the middle of it.

This world doesn't have a single copy of Holy Knight, as far as he knows. He would have liked to re-read them at some point, but without knowing how to access the Internet and its search engines properly, Gil sticks to browsing the bookstore he often visits. He's made it a point to avoid the one employee who recommended him that vulgar, erotic book without ever telling him it such a book in the first place. She's a nice young lady, but really... he's not equipped to deal with her after getting to the dirty part of the book.

He wanders between the food section and fictional/adventure sections. Nothing's really caught his interest yet, so he continues going down the aisle. ]


➋ outside workplace

[ When he's finished with work for the day, he does a thorough double-check to ensure everything in the offices are in order, goes over the copy machine to make sure it's not acting up again, and then he gathers his things and departs from the building. He hovers outside of it and though he's well aware of the public laws on smoking, he's longing for a drag of nicotine. There aren't many people around and he does make it a point not to smoke around women (pregnant especially) and children.

He flicks his lighter, the end of the cigarette between his lips burning slowly. He inhales and exhales, a calming sensation fluttering down his chest. He tucks the case and lighter away and tugs at his collar. He'd like to undo it, but not until he gets home, at least. ]


➌ bakery

[ There's a lovely, little bakery he found just recently. It's run by an elderly couple who bake excellent goods that are fresh and exactly to Gil's liking. While he prefers to buy his own ingredients as it's cheaper to make from scratch, he doesn't mind indulging on their delicious cakes and pastries. ]


➍ the park

[ It's already late evening when Gil enters the park. It doesn't get dark as fast anymore, but he prefers not to linger too long in case since you can never be too sure. He doesn't go anywhere anymore without his revolvers, one hidden away in his coat pocket and the other in his bag. In the park especially, it always feels as if someone's got eyes boring into the back of his head. ]

Comments

Bookstore

[glaucus]

[Dan was quite happily browsing the bookstore. While most of the books he found were identical to those from home there were still plenty of new things to be read in this world; he didn't quite know where to start! His arms were already filled with a number of bargain bin finds that he already owned back home. In his enthusiasm at adding to his collection he didn't notice Gil until he was already bumping into him with his great load of books]

Oh! Oh, I'm so sorry!

[invoking]

[ Not sure how he didn't notice the stack of books headed his way, but he catches himself and even extends an arm in case this man or his books fall over. ]

Are you alright?

[glaucus]

[Books are shifty like that, jumping out at strangers without any reason. Really they should be banned as a danger to society, but that would mean that Dan would never have entered this shop and clumsily met another new face, and, well, he quite likes meeting new people.

Before the top book can fall to the ground Dan manages to catch it with his free hand without up ending the rest of his pile onto the helpful stranger]

Oh, yes yes. May fault really for not looking where I was going.

[He puts the top book back in his pile and extends a hand]

Daniel Dreiburg. I'm, ah, new to the City and decided to get a bit of reading material. I guess I went a bit overboard here.

[invoking]

Do you need help with those? [ Because those are quite a few books to carry on one's own. He could at least offer to carry it to the front counter. ]

Ah, you're an imPort. I'm... Gilbert. [ He's so normal looking that it surprises Gil. Not like himself, with his gold eyes. The accent can be played as a tourist from the UK, but the employees here know him as an imPort by now. ] It's alright. This bookstore isn't as large as the others further downtown, but it has a good selection and bargain prices.

[glaucus]

No, no I can handle them. [He looks at his swaying stack of books and then back at Gil a sheepish grin] I may have gone slightly overboard.

Daniel Dreiberg! I'd offer you my hand but I might put both our lives at risk if I let go of this stack.

[Dan worked with Rorschach for twelve years, so he's used to odd. Gil's eyes certainly qualify as odd, but Dan has enough manners not to say anything.]

I only recently arrived myself. Right now I'm hoping to make my new home a bit more personal and maybe interesting, well, at least for me. What brings you in today? Not that you need a reason of course!

2

[aggressiveapathy]

Oh my god. You hypocrite.

[Like a bad penny, once again April Ludgate has turned back up. A raccoon, as always, shuffling along behind her. To match April's hand on her hip pose, the furry monster comes up to stand on it's back feet beside her, chittering unhappily in Gil's general direction.]

[invoking]

[ He exhales quickly, his expression instantly souring upon seeing April and her raccoon. He just can't escape her, can he? ]

Hypocrite? [ He finally asks, blowing smoke in the opposite direction so it's not whisking past April's face. ]

[aggressiveapathy]

You're mean to cute fluffy innocent animals. Then do something gross. You're totally a supervillain. A super lame one.

[The final period is underscored by a raccoon huff. It's unknown exactly how April will turn this into Gil having to give them food. But she's working on it.]

[invoking]

I have no idea what you're talking about. [ Does she mean smoking? He's aware it's a dirty habit... but it's difficult for him to quit. He's failed nine times already.

He does put out the cigarette, though, already turning to leave. ] Shouldn't you be at City Hall?

[aggressiveapathy]

Shouldn't you be at a bar?

[That was much better than answering the question, clearly. And then takes the few steps to close the distance to- potentially- walk along beside him.]

How was your date.

wednesday, mid-morning #3

[cryingontheinside]

[Dexter goes to this bakery every morning to get a doughnut. Because really, what's life without doughnuts? It's amazing they haven't run into each other sooner, really.

With a bearclaw hanging out of his mouth and a pastry bag in-hand, his shoulder taps Gil's as he brushes by in a bit too much of a haste.]

Oh--sorry. I think the sugar went to my head. Are you alright?

[invoking]

[ Gil's only standing around waiting for the elderly baker to finish his batch of almond croissants. He casts a cursory look over at Dexter. He had noticed him earlier, but he doesn't talk to strangers generally so he was content to stand in silence or talk to the elderly woman (who cooed about his accent). ]

I'm fine. Sorry, I wasn't paying attention.

[cryingontheinside]

Probably for the best. [Dex decides to take the high road on this one, mostly because he's become too complacent in ignoring everyone and sooner or later people are going to think he's weird.]

...Hey, I think I've seen you here before. [He moves the doughnut and pastry bag to his left so he can hold out his right hand for shaking.] Dexter.

[invoking]

[ For a fleeting moment, it's as if Gil doesn't understand what the hand is for. When he finally catches on, he slowly offers his hand in return. ]

You have...? Ah, I'm Gilbert.

[ He's certain he's never seen this man before. ]

[cryingontheinside]

A pleasure to meet you, Gilbert. [He shakes the man's hand firmly, albeit briefly, reminding himself not to go back for the doughnut immediately even if it is all he can think about. Why does being social always have to mean going hungry.]

Maybe I'm mistaken. But I just love this place's doughnuts. [He shoots a thumbs-up to the woman behind the counter. Oh yeah, making friends wherever he goes, this guy.]

wednesday evening? #4

[onetouch]

[As per usual, when he bumps into Gil he is walking Digby. The light hoodie and driving gloves seem an odd choice for such a mild night, but Gil already knows in his heart of hearts how fucking strange this guy is.

Which is why, of course, he's approaching rapidly without much warning at all.] Gilbert! It's been a while since I've seen you around. How are... things?

[invoking]

[ He really does, even if he does think highly of his pies. Now this is a man who knows his way around the kitchen. It seems most people in this time rely on fast food restaurants or the street vendors to feed them.

He slows down and nods in greeting, only briefly looking at Digby. ]

Hello. Ned, was it? [ He pauses. ] Things have been fine. How is the shop?

[onetouch]

It's doing very well, thank you. [He smiles and nods, glancing around before looking back at Gil.] We have soup now.

[Which under normal circumstances would've terrified him, but Zatanna and his own magic finger had swayed him. Which didn't sound great as a sentence, but in summation he was okay with it. Not the sentence, but, soup. In the Pie Hole.]

[invoking]

Oh, do you? I admit I haven't stopped by in some time. [ He has the worst luck running into strange people and when that happens, he'll avoid the place for a while before he believes the coast is clear. ] Are you changing your entire menu?

[onetouch]

Oh, god no. [He smiles.] Just, rotating a few things, to gauge interest, you understand.

But there are always new pies that appear each month. Sometimes to stay, sometimes as seasonal. The menu is almost too large now, but everyone seems to be enjoying it.

[He tries to stop himself from rambling, even people who ask about pie probably weren't as enthused as he is, it's just hard to remember that.]

#4 - 6/13

[currentcy]

[ As the sun begins to set -- it's just beginning to darken and the hour feels much earlier than it really is -- Electro meanders through the park, not quite aimlessly but not with a purpose, either. He's just passing through, and it's because he's not in any rush he notices Gil walking up the path ahead of him.

Electro walks a bit quicker, keeping his footsteps quiet so that when he taps on Gil's shoulder the man probably didn't hear him coming. ]

Well, look who it is.

[invoking]

[ It didn't sound like anything in particular to him, just someone else taking a stroll through the park at this hour. They're not entirely alone. Most people are somewhere in a distance, a couple of dogs roaming around after sticks and frisbees.

Before he even turns to face the man signalling his attention, the voice gives away Electro's identity and Gil's brow furrows. ]

You again. [ He doesn't yell or make an effort to flee, but he doesn't look pleased. Does he ever look happy to see Electro? ] What is it now?

[currentcy]

[ Electro quickens his pace so they're walking more side-to-side, putting his hands in his pockets. ]

Can't a guy say hi once in a while?

[invoking]

It seems every time we run into each other something troublesome happens. [ His eyes narrow before he looks away from Electro, continuing down the small paved path. ]

[currentcy]

Who says I'm going to cause you trouble? Ain't a crime to say hi to a friend when you see him in the park. [ Electro scoffs, a little huffily. ] Who says I even like trouble?