|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Tue Dec 09, 2014 6:33 pm
Off island had been far and few between. It wasn't just that his money had been cut as punishment, but because there simply was no reason for him to go out. He had completed Rin's water system and after that, he just had no reason to remind himself that he had no company. He didn't like watching movies, errands were just tiresome, and he preferred spending time just working. Why should he reward himself in any way for doing nothing to help Rin? Why should he take it easy and go out to enjoy himself when Rin couldn't? Why did he even bother attempting to enjoy himself when he knew it wouldn't?
When Jan asked to go out, he saw it as a way to pay the man for his services. Not only was Jan's body vital to giving Rin a place to temporary stay and give Melvin more information to help her, but his happiness meant that he could possibly be more willing to let Rin stay in his body longer. The Death hunter instructed him that the more time they spent together, the more time he would get to know Melvin and strengthen his connection to Rin. The better connection, the longer Rin could stay. The longer Rin could stay, the more he could…enjoy her company
He set up a date and time to meet, and the pair of them left the island in the morning into the downtown city district of London. "We went here on Valentine's. I can't really recreate the dinner. I spent months getting reservations for that night. They are completely booked." He apologized.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Dec 10, 2014 5:08 pm
London was a place that Lawrence remembered well, he'd visited the sprawling capital many times while he lived in the UK, the city was so large and harboured a largely transient population inhabiting extortionate rented flats and moving on. It bustled with migrant workers and tourists year round. Tourists had been his favorite prey, wrapped up in their optimism they'd never expected the friendly smiling guide with his pricy looking attire and charm to make off with their wallets, nor had they expected the more elaborate schemes they so often swallowed hook line and sinker. It was an easy city to disappear in.
In general it felt good to be off the island, he'd arrived dressed differently than his business psychic attire, instead wearing a white shirt and a pair of tailored and flattering trousers. He wore a fawn coloured coat over the top of it all and looked for the most part like an exceptionally metrosexual middle aged man rather than an eccentric psychic.
"It's not a problem." he said in regards to the restaurant. "London has a hundred different worthy places to eat, I am sure we can make an approximate reconstruction of it, perhaps a little more upmarket even." He raised his eyebrows at the blonde man before smiling charmingly. "What sort of budget are you working with hmm?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Dec 10, 2014 5:58 pm
London did not fit Melvin. He was a rural boy, growing up in the cul-de-sacs of Maine and visiting small fishing towns and mountain homes his relatives lived during holidays. He hadn't traveled overseas until coming to Deus, and he never felt like he fit there. It was nice at times to imagine he was a new person in a foreign land, and while he wasn't as comfortable in these places, he could still hold that awe and fascination a fresh tourist held for historic and exotic places.
He wasn't as glamourous as Jan was, but metrosexual was not a far off term when people looked at Melvin. His strawberry blonde hair was now streaked with a stripe of white that almost faded in, and he wore a dark red sweater with black slacks, his black coat over with a cream-colored scarf that hung loosely around his neck. As usual, he wore his black gloves.
It was cold these days, and he was reminded that Christmas was right around the corner.
A holiday he would be spending alone without her.
Or maybe –
He turned to Jan when he spoke and was surprised with how blunt he was when asking about his budget. "Uh…well….i had my wages cut in half as punishment when I got into a fight with Rep during my stay at the Infirmary." He said, explaining his situation. "But I haven't really spent anything for a while now. Ever since Rin left, I just…" He gave a bit of shrug. "…had no reason to go out or…do anything."
He opened his phone, checking the document he checked his budget and turned it over to the man. "This is all I have. I…hope it works?" He didn't want to run the only man who could bring Rin back away. Rin wanted Melvin to listen to Jan and if having a nice dinner made that possible to have Rin stay in his body longer, than he wanted to do anything he could to help.
"I could carve and sell runic stones when I get back for more cash."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Dec 10, 2014 7:21 pm
"Oh its not a problem." Jan said softly. "I don't like to pry into your business, it just helps to have an idea what there is to spend when one goes out to a place to eat and shop. I have no idea what other hunter's wages are like, etcetera." he waved a hand vaguely, eyeing the phone before handing it back with a smile. "It is perfect, we won't use it all, Rin would not be happy if we were irresponsible, and she is here with us so there would be no hiding it." he laughed amiably. "She agrees with this plan though, I am under fairly strict orders to make sure that you have a little fun too."
He threw his arms wide, gesturing to the streets ahead, close to the shopping precinct already strung with Christmas lights for the season.
"Before we eat though, we should go shopping. I know a wonderful shop near here that sells some of the best cosmetics I have found." he beamed at Melvin. "How do you feel about beauty treatments?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Dec 10, 2014 7:37 pm
"She is?" He looked over Jan as if he could spot visible signs of her, but instead smile a little that she would be coming along. It made the trip more comfortable with having someone he knew around, and he felt better that Rin wouldn't have to be stuck in the void space she was in and instead could have a sanctuary in Jan's body, even if she couldn't fully take over right now. He could go out and enjoy himself without feeling guilty that she wasn't here with him.
"Well, then I'll try for her. She always was the one to push me out to enjoy myself more." Though he tried to pay back the favor with dates in whatever way he could. "I hope she enjoys the trip. I'd hate to enjoy a trip out during the holiday season without her."
Maybe he could still buy her a present then.
Jan smiled as brightly as the Christmas lights around the store fronts and Melvin adjusted one coat sleeve as he considered question. "Um….well…I don't really do that sort of thing. I mean, makeup seems a bit..beyond me." It was one thing for him to be clean and tidy, but putting on makeup was a step he just wasn't sure he wanted to cross over.
"Is…Rin into that?" He asked Jan, wondering if he could relay the message to her and get a response back.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Dec 10, 2014 7:55 pm
"Yes, she's right here." and he gestured to his own chest. "She may not have the reins but she is with us. She is really very happy by the way at how much you are trying to reach her and how co-operative you are being." he blushed a little again. "She is very enthusiastic about your rewards when she gets back too." He cleared his throat.
At Melvin's comment again Jan let out that airy laugh he had. "No no. I don't mean makeup, I mean well. Spa-type treatments, exfoliation, facials and the like. Things that leave your skin feeling wonderfully clean, wonderfully refreshed and soft."
Again he shook his head. "And no, I don't think Rin was into this exact sort of thing, she tells me she was more interested in organization than pampering herself. No this is a favor to me that we both agreed upon. She thought you might be interested but wasn't sure. It is fine if you are not, we can get you sorted out in a nearby coffee shop or something if you would like, it won't take me long."
"I apologize if it seems I am being controlling on this trip, Rin has just given me a lot of suggestions. The other thing she suggested, and it is completely fine if you are not interested.." he shrugged. "Was getting a hotel room while we are here and spending the night. A hotel with a very, very nice shower."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Dec 10, 2014 8:04 pm
"No! …No." He corrected, quickly clearing his tone at the suggestion of being dropped off somewhere to just drink coffee. He drank plenty of coffee alone on the island till his brain melted and screamed for sleep. He didn't want more.
"I…I'd rather spent time with the both of you. I want this to work. I just…never did beauty treatments or anything. I just…never wanted to be that weird guy who went alone. N-Not that YOU'RE weird. I just didn't want to be seen as that way and not enjoy myself. I just ..had my system at home." Where he knew what was being used, that no bottles were shared, and he could determine when he felt clean and not when someone else thought he was.
But Jan seemed to have just as high a standards as he did, and if he supported the idea and Rin seemed ok with it, then it seemed like a good course of action. "I want us to spend time together. For all of us to go out. I don't want to just drink coffee someplace alone." He corrected.
"If the spa has..a good rating, then I wouldn't mine giving it a shot." He managed, not 100% comfortable about this as he looked to Jan. "This place….doesn't cut corners when it comes to cleaning between customers, do they?" He didn't want to have a towel that was used by someone else, or find a bath that might not have been properly cleaned before he used it.
As for the hotel....
"Um....I guess that wouldn't be bad. The hotel. It would at least mean he could shower and then sleep in a bed that wasn't at his own dorm with the empty space Rin left.
He just wondered .............were they talking about a split room?
He didn't ask. The conversation was a bit awkward as is.
At least Rin knew about all this and it was her suggestion.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Dec 10, 2014 8:58 pm
"Understandable." Jan said softly. "Understandable that you would want to spend as much time as possible with Rin while we are here. Remember you don't need to do anything you wouldn't want to, it is completely up to you. But I assure you, this spa is impeccable. I would tolerate nothing less."
He nodded. "So give it a try, it if doesn't meet your standards then you can simply not do it and I will be out promptly to join you." He turned to lead the way along the road. "We have to take the underground to get there but it isn't far." He was looking forward to the underground, packed wall to wall with people as it was, he had learned a long time ago you could get away with dipping pockets and bags without being seen, adding hunter reflexes into the mix and the marked distraction of a missing hand, he did not doubt he could get them a bit of cash along the way to boot.
"And the hotel is the same. I would not suggest such a thing so soon but Rin said that it would be a good idea." Once again he gave Melvin that perfect even smile and pulled his coat a little closer, it wasn't raining for a change but it was cold. "And that it would do you good to get away from the island for a little bit."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Dec 10, 2014 9:15 pm
He considered it. Jan was being nothing but kind to him. The man was helping him, putting pu with the strain to his body, letting Rin go out and enjoy herself when she physically could not with her body gone, and was working with Rin to tell him all he needed to do. Rin was helping in suggesting things to Jan, and all she was doing was thinking about him and his own comfort. She wanted him to be happier, to enjoy himself, and to get out. Even away, even in a state where she should be the number one priority, she was thinking of him.
For him to be skittish about some foreign bathrooms was insane, and he felt like a selfish idiot for even thinking it.
Rin was here for him, and he had to be here for her, to put her at the forefront of his mind as much as she was. She had suggestions, and he would take her up on every one.
He'd be strong – just like she wanted.
"No. I just never went to a spa before. If you want this Rin, then I'm sure it will be great. It has been a while, and if I can let you have a spa day, then I'm letting her have a spa day too." He said, liking that logic. It was nice to think he was treating Rin out and letting her relax than just Jan.
The more he thought about it that way, the more he felt better. "I probably should get off the island. There isn't anything there much for me and I've been on the island for months. It would be nice for us to get away." Him and Rin.
As for the Subway, he cringed and followed Jan down. He made sure on the ride there to put a piece of tissue between his hands and the pole he was holding on to.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Dec 11, 2014 8:18 am
On the underground something about Jan's posture and attitude seemed to change, the train was packed but even so he seemed to wish to wander a lot on the platform and on the train itself and struck up conversations with a few of the people, once he dropped Butch's totem and had someone else help him retrieve it, citing his missing hand as why he needed it.
When they exited the subway, he smiled brightly. There was adrenaline to it, it felt like being alive, people were as stupid as they had always been and he'd managed to get away with two wallets and a phone. He didn't even need the phone, it had simply felt good to take it. At least it meant they had money to work with. He waited until they were clear to fish out one of the wallets, flipping through it and taking the money out to count it, all of it in pounds stirling, the phone was switched off still in his pocket. It was a good haul and they were all but invincible as non-existent people.
"It will do all three of us good to get off the island."
And leading the way, he headed towards the spa, very pleased to see that it was still very much thriving and in business. He had no concern about them remembering him, they would not, each and every time he'd visited he'd done so looking very different from he did now.
"This won't take long." he said, and it did not, the facilities were clean and impeccable. Lawr got the works and used a debit card which did not look like a deus one to sign for the bill for them both, tipping in british money. His strange american accent seemed to kick up a notch around the workers. Once they were done he returned, purchased some products from various imported lines and then headed out, all the while assuring Melvin that Rin had had a fantastic time.
"Where to now?" he asked brightly. "Need to do any Christmas shopping?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Dec 11, 2014 11:03 am
It had been an experience he slowly grew comfortable with. The place was impeccable, spotless, and even little touches like quickly disposing of towels and wash clothes into different hampers to keep laundry separation in mind was impressive. There were no worn, tired linens and each product used seemed opened for each customer. He didn't get the full treatment, but a basic exfoliating package that stressed a healthy clean to rid the body of dead skin and toxins. Afterwards, he left with Jan feeling better and wishing he owned a spa of his own.
"I think I was studying the wrong profession before going to Deus. I could see myself working at a spa – just not actually cleaning anyone though." Maybe something that involved ordering or supervising that still allowed him to use the facilities.
It was good that Rin felt great too, and he only wished he could have seen her actual body submerged in a hot bath and being softened with oils.
"Well, not really. I only expected to get a gift for Rin. I think I do need to pick up a few smaller gifts." Rep and Harrison were now off the list which meant he didn't have many people left. He probably should give a gift for Noah since he had been working at the garden. Jordan as well. America has also been helpful. Nothing really big. He didn't know them all that well, and Jordan was the closest person to a friend he had right now. That and Jan.
"Do you have anyone to shop for?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Dec 11, 2014 6:04 pm
"I bet if you had a spa it would be absolutely wonderful, even cleaner than it was in there. You'd run a tight ship." He found Melvin tolerable, more than most mortals, the cleanliness and willingness to bow to his will were commendable traits.
"Well we can grab some things. My gift list is short also. I only have two people on it." he smiled. "An old friend of mine and a new one. Rin might still appreciate her gift, I can do what I can to allow her to experience it."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Dec 11, 2014 7:39 pm
"Then Christmas shopping it is. I'd like some small gifts to give people. I have about two people on my list too, not including Rin. You seem to know the place well so if you want to lead the way.." He said, trusting Jan's sense of direction and know how about the rea.
"Do you come to London often? I don't think I've asked where you're from." He said, surprised that he hadn't asked Jan more about himself. For once, he was focused on something else. It had been and still was more important on what Jan could do, but seeing as the man shared his own viewpoints on cleanliness, he had started to become interested him who he was as well.
"Uh, I don't think the gift I would give Rin would translate well. I'll see about just…buying it and waiting for her to enjoy I suppose." He said, only having a few ideas and most of which involved wearables.
"We are both past the point of just…first date gifts." Since Jan seemed to know Rin's wild nature also coupled with the many months alone, Melvin only have a few select (and intimate) gift ideas in mind.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Dec 12, 2014 7:40 am
"I know the place fairly well pardner." he admitted "Ahm from Florida mostly but I've been here there and everywhere in my life. Spent some time in the UK." He would never admit being born in Manchester, it was something that couldn't be pried out of him even with torture. "In a job like mine you go where the spirits call you to go."
At the mention of Rin's gift, he raised an eyebrow. "Well, I would say almost anything could convert given enough ingenuity on our part. Ah wouldn't want her tah miss out on Christmas. "
He led the way down to the shopping district, his cold bright eyes dancing across the many window displays, riveted by what he saw. Once he paused to hover outside the window of a wig shop briefly while continuing the conversation. "The best thing about this city is you can buy absolutely anything here. Former center of the empire, still a hub of all manner of junk."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Dec 12, 2014 7:56 am
"I always imagined places like this would be. Probably why it's always packed with tourists. I never really thought I'd be able to get to these places unless I saved up and planned ahead. Maybe for a semester trip overseas but biochemist really don't go to Europe for any reason." He said with a smile, pausing to look at the shop that had taken Jan's interest.
He wondered with the man's short hair if he wanted more. "You could probably grow your hair out really easily if you are wondering. We have remarkable recovery for our bodies being what we are." He looked at a curly black wig with a sort of distant fondness. "Rin had very long, black hair, but we were helping Rep out with his things and all caught Halloween head lice. Rin and I had to cut all our hair off. It's why I have this now." He said, pointing ot the white streak. "It was worse for her though. She had such long, beautiful hair. It only started to grow back out when…….." He paused, not liking to complete these types of sentences. It always reminded him of that moment, that look on her face right before her body dropped.
He went back to a safer subject.
"I never really got to travel. At least that's one perk here. I can step out and go anywhere I want. Just…kind of less thrilling alone now."
"Sorry, I'm being odd. You must have really gotten used to traveling if you did it all your life. I noticed you just seemed like a natural here despite your accent. When did you start with your medium lifestyle?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
