INBOX. ✦

[rebelsamurai]

You just discovered what it takes to become a legend... Grab your iron - let's mobilize.

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[likemybooks]

That doesn't sound boring at all. I know some people who traveled and worked when they were younger, and they are some of the people I look up to the most nowadays.

[Mercenaries, whose lives were not pleasant at all when their once-happy childhoods were torn from their hands and they were forced to fight for survival.]

The most traveling I did when I was younger was to vacation homes and through my books. But we can go into that once you're here. I brought some drinks from the vending machine.

[rebelsamurai]

Is that right? That explains why you're so eager to strike out on your own.

[That, plus the fact that this guy doesn't appear to be the type of choom who relies on his advantages to get through life. It's oddly refreshing. Even so, Johnny can't help but roll his eyes once he learns about the multiple vacation homes.]

Just how loaded are you, man? I get you're a pampered poodle and all, but damn--multiple vacation homes?

[Taryon can't possibly be as rich as the Arasakas, right? Impossible.]

Too bad I don't have much in the way of alcohol. I guess I can bring over some snacks.

[likemybooks]

Not so much now that I'm in charge of the family finances. Most of our properties are being sold off while we make things more reasonable. I'm *trying* to make the Darringtons a bit less. shitty.

[A long story as to how they got there. A year of travel, of actual physical suffering and near-death experiences, of being forced to confront his toxic learned behaviors and of realizing that there were many ways to lead a happy and proud life changed things. Money can provide so many things, but as much as he tried, books and expensive toys could not replace a household full of love.

Plus, going on adventures to help his friends was more fun than going to hotels, and he got to visit beautiful places, anyway.]

It's alright. I have specific tastes when it comes to alcohol.

[He should prepare some video games. That can better stop him from ruminating on his life before he met Vox Machina.]

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[rebelsamurai]

Sellin' the vacation homes? Shit, talk about a bold move.

[Even more courageously, Taryon is striving to improve his family's reputation by making changes. That isn't something you hear very often, especially in Night City. However, this is not Night City, and Johnny finds that not everyone is as sleazy as the people in his world. That's probably why he's grading Taryon on a curve.]

Do you? Let me guess, you prefer chardonnay or whatever the fuck it's spelled. That and probably wine.

[Johnny hates chardonnay. He would rather drink sake than that shit.]

Anyway, I'm on my way. Just don't get the party started without me.

---

[It's not even half an hour later until Taryon suddenly gets a knock at his door. Johnny wasn't kidding about being a little stir-crazy. He's been suffering an extreme case of cabin fever ever since the lockdowns started. Johnny was just begging to ditch his dorm for a few hours and hit the streets.

That explains why Taryon has a surly-looking rock star standing in front of his door in his ratty Samurai tee, those iconic tight brown leather pants, and those signature dark sunglasses. Hell, Johnny is even wearing that cool as hell Samurai themed jacket too.

He really looks the part of a rock star.]

Open up! It's NCPD!

[Don't mind him; he's being an asshole. He knocks harshly on the door with his metal fist.]

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[likemybooks]

Chardonnay is a wine.

But you're right. I'm partial to a good wine.

[Semantics aside, Taryon is eager to have someone over and see some change in his monotonous week. He frets from one corner of the room to the other, muttering to himself and talking through his concerns with Doty.]

I did my desk, all of the small pieces are in my junk drawer. That's done. Did I leave anything on my dresser? Doty, get me the cloth. I have to dust it. [His automaton holds out an old washcloth, which Taryon quickly swipes over the surface of his dresser, then his nightstand, then his chair for good measure.]

Would he notice something like that? How--

[There's a loud, terrifying banging on the door. Taryon's yelp is heard in the hallway, and even when he puts on his most composed face, Johnny will know how much he scared Taryon in the moment.

Who now opens the door with an easy smile.] Good you see you're well! I love that jacket. Did you make it yourself? [Please be distracted from his undignified reaction, cool musician.]

[rebelsamurai]

[Yes, he knew chardonnay is wine. Sorta. Okay, maybe he didn't know but what Johnny knows is that he doesn't like that shit. Give him whiskey any day of the week, and he'll drink it. All those fancy wines and shit? Hell no.

Enough about that; Johnny couldn't help but chuckle when he noticed Taryon's horrified expression. He's just so easy to tease, really. It's sad that Johnny has so much fun teasing Taryon. It should be illegal.]

Made you jump. [Johnny laughs as he shoos Taryon aside. While his Samurai jacket is amazing, the black guitar lying inside that beat-up guitar case is even more so.]

The jacket, nah. I didn't make it but it's tailor-made. A custom job.

[likemybooks]

[Johnny knows how to perform, Taryon knows too many details about wine and wine-tasting. They are both proud of their skills and specialties. Unfortunately, there is no collection of fine wines for Tary to share, only a comfortable room.

He steps aside, and his mouth flattens. What is it with people scaring him? There's Astarion and now Johnny - not to mention the teasing from Vox Machina when he was trying to get into their good graces.] You just surprised me, that's all.

[He closes the door behind Johnny and gestures at the two chairs and the bed present. The seats available in his room.] Even so, you have good taste. Dark clothes look good on you. [He perks up and grins.]

[rebelsamurai]

Surprised ya?

[Johnny laughs as he shrugs the guitar case off his shoulders. That damn thing is heavier than it appears. He lays the guitar case on the floor next to the chair before taking a seat.]

More like I almost scared the pants off you.

[Putting aside the quips, he can tell Taryon is checking him out again. It's easy to tell since old blue eyes here make it so obvious.]

Thanks, I was never the kind of dude to wear too much color. Just not my style.

[likemybooks]

That's not important. [He turns away - as good as Johnny looks, and Taryon cannot deny this fact, they're here to listen to music, not to flirt. Besides, he doesn't have to look for a date. He already has one whose interests align with his own.

He drops onto his bed and leans back, his hands behind him and supporting him.]

It gives you a certain impression, wearing all black. Although it's tricky to balance looking cool and mysterious with [He holds up a hand and waggles it as he seeks a polite way to phrase it.] looking like you don't care about self-grooming. Which you don't.

But enough of that. We both look good. Are you already performing in public?

[rebelsamurai]

Careful, that almost sounded like an insult.

[He can't help but roll his eyes as he props open the guitar case. Inside is his pride and joy, the Deluze Orphean, a state-of-the-art expensive guitar that he has fucked up more than he can count. While it bears the war scars of each show on its smooth laminated surface, Johnny takes surprisingly good care of it...sometimes.]

Not yet. [He places the guitar upon his lap so he can tune it properly.] The game plan is to start playing at clubs again in hopes of building a name for myself.

That's pretty much how I rose to fame in Night City.

[sanguivorous]

[There's a swift, sharp knock on Taryon's door, and without waiting for any sort of answer it opens, Astarion gliding in. He carries a bottled drink in one hand, and a medium-sized faux leather kit in the other that contains his sewing and embroidery supplies, but the outside doesn't hint to anything obvious. Cheerfully, he coos:]

Taryon, darling, I'm done and I brought you a gift~

[And as soon as he enters the main room and sees a stranger there, the grin slips from his face and walls are up. A new smile appears on his face, with a decidedly different feel, like a polite cat that hates you're in their space.]

Oh? You have a guest?

[He steps around Johnny toward Taryon, but his eyes never leave him, studying him.]

[likemybooks]

Oh, wow. [Taryon leans over the guitar.] That's some craftmanship! I've never seen one of these electronic guitars up close.

[Taryon startles at the second knock on the door, though this was less threatening than the previous. A familar voice calls, and Taryon tears his eyes away from Johnny and his beautiful instrument.]

Yes, I invited him over to chat. Astarion, this is Johnny. [He looks at the other man, not focusing on the tight smile on Astarion's face.] He's a musician - a famous one where he's from. I hope you don't mind if the two of us listened to your performance.

[rebelsamurai]

[He couldn't help but smirk as Taryon leaned over to get a better look at his guitar. It's a little scuffed up and covered in anti-corpo stickers, but it's still a gorgeous instrument.]

The DeLuze Orphean is a rare breed, unlike most guitars. It was all the rage in the 2020s, but it's a vintage classic these days—

[Johnny trails off when someone suddenly barges through the door. He gives the new guy a quick once-over, his dark gaze settling on that fake, insincere smile. This choom looks pissed. Is he Tary's new input or something?

He arches his brow a little.]

I'm more a rock star than just a musician, but I'll let it slide.

[sanguivorous]

[He's not necessarily pissed as he is wary. He doesn't recognize the man, nor the name for the moment, and he highly doubts Taryon would be the sort to try and cheat on him--at least so brazenly. Taryon can be dumb but not that dumb. That doesn't mean this man doesn't have a motive for being here though, so Astarion obviously has to be on guard.

He is a little hurt Taryon doesn't keep looking at him or acknowledges his declaration of a gift, however. But he tries not to dwell on it as he steps up and leans down to kiss the man on the top of his head before sitting beside him.]

Did I take too long with my little embroidery project and you got so bored you had to call in some entertainment? I'm sorry, darling. [A playful pout.] Here, I brought you this. You like this one, right? [He hands him the bottle, a thing of peach tea from the vending machines.

And he supposes he must turn his attention to the guest, so he does. With very very practiced ease he slips into a conversational tone, there may be a sarcastic edge in there, but all the same.]

A star are you? In this world, or...?

/sneaks this in real quick

[rebelsamurai]

[Johnny nearly rolls his eyes again once this new guy starts laying on the theatrics. That definitely wins a side-eye from Johnny, along with that 'entertainment' comment. Something about being referred to as 'entertainment' doesn't jibe with him. That's why Johnny gives Astarion his bitchiest smirk and says the following.]

If I'm the 'entertainment,' then I guess that makes you the bottle service, huh? [He asks with a hint of sarcasm in his tone.] Too bad you were late, though.

[Sass aside, he responds to the following question with a hint of pride in his tone.]

Yes, I am, but "Andrew Lee" appears to be a "popstar" rather than a new-age rock star with a chip on his shoulder.

[Once he's finished tuning his guitar, Johnny quickly plays a little tune to set the mood, attempting to chase away any of the bad vibes that floated in here. It's a lighthearted riff that unintentionally reveals Johnny's more whimsical nature when it comes to music. His fingers skillfully brush against the strings of his guitar with such ease, proving he's not a novice. It all seems so effortless, so easy, but looks are deceiving. It took years, decades for Johnny to get this good.

Too bad his love for alcohol, drugs, and wild sex limited his greatness in the past. Thankfully, this is the longest Johnny has been without any narcotics in his system.]

[likemybooks]

[The kiss is successful enough to distract Taryon from the guitar, and he allows the two to introduce themselves to each other...which appears to consist of them sniping at one another.]

Yes. [He plucks the vending machine drink from Astarion's hand.] You know just what to get for me.

[Wow, two friends with gifts, he would usually think, but he has to admit, inviting someone over when Astarion usually visits every day might have offended him. Or should he just accept that this is Taryon's room? Either way, the comment on waiting for the embroidery project stings.

He frowns.] It's fine, Astarion. I didn't think you'd be done so fast with it. [An apologetic smile for Johnny, the guest.] This is my...well, I guess it's safe to call him my boyfriend now. Astarion and I often visit each other.

[He puts his hand on Astarion's and squeezes it — he wants to listen to the song before their bizarre social combat escalates, and his eyes are glues to Johnny's fingers. They move gracefully, as befitting a bard, and as if with mete touches, he elicits a living tune from the strings.

It's magical. Taryon sometimes wishes he had this sort of talent in thr performing arts.]

[sanguivorous]

["Boyfriend" is such an odd term to hear, and he thought it was rather inelegant whenever he heard the younger generation of Baldur's Gate say it, but hearing it come from Taryon's mouth about him makes his brain melt happily. The hand hold only soothes him further, even if he could tell that was a warning squeeze and not a fond squeeze, it was still a joining of their hands.

So like a sus cat being pet by its Person, Astarion's disposition turns more calm. He nods to Johnny after the introduction, saying a well-practiced:]

Pleasure.

[He gestures toward the guitar.]

Go on, then, who am I to turn down a free musical performance?

[And as Johnny does, he listens. He can tell the man does have talent, so perhaps he wasn't lying of being popular, but the style isn't quite Astarion's taste. Or rather maybe it was more the instrument. His ear was not trained for the electric, almost tinny sounds of these type of instruments.

But then again, neither was Taryon's, right? And as he glances at him, he seems to be entranced with this Johnny's song--

--wait, Johnny? Wasn't...

If it was possible, he would be paler, and he leans in. Releasing Taryon's hand, he brings it up to his ear to hide his mouth as he whispers in a rushed breath:]

Wait, is this the man you...at the Valentine's party??

[likemybooks]

[Taryon can rest easily knowing that this beautiful song will not be interrupted. Astarion has calmed down, and they all can be friends. It's wonderful when Taryon doesn't stumble into messy drama, unlike several instances back home.

He closes his eyes and attempts to "lose himself" in the flow of the song, as some would say. One can dance to this. Perhaps he could try here and ask Astation if—]

Hm? [He leans sideways to better listen without looking away from the performance, and despite Astarion's attempt at being discrete, Taryon's eyes shoot wide open.

He forgot he mentioned the result of the Valentine speed date to Astarion. The confession (a rather forceful one) came because Tary boldly spoke of their time without even realizing that Astarion, too, was flirting with him back then. And Astarion was furious.

Now here was the man that Taryon admitted he was attracted to not so long ago, and his current boyfriend knows, and he prays that there is no magical vision that reveals to Astarion that just minutes ago, Tary was appraising Johnny's appearance.

His neck feels as if it's gone stiff. He manages to lower his head and inch, then slowly raise it in a fear-filled nod.]

[rebelsamurai]

[Just as Johnny was beginning to get into the groove, Taryon drops details about him and this Astarion guy. So that's his new 'input' after all, huh? Definitely not the kind of guy Johnny would ever consider. He doesn't like how pale he looks or how red his eyes appear. There's something unsettling about that guy, possessive, even. Not that Johnny is one to talk, considering how possessive he was over his old outputs. His mind strays to Kerry and Alt for a second. He hates thinking about either one of them.

They look good together since they both have a strange, old-timey vibe to them. Watching them interact is like watching a poorly written medieval soap opera. They're so ridiculously dramatic and over-the-top that it's genuinely funny. However, the novelty of it all vanishes once Johnny realizes what's going on.

He abruptly stops playing and stares that stupid-looking elf in the eyes with a look of sheer defiance.]

Is there a problem?

[sanguivorous]

[It's hard to tell what all emotions just swarmed through Astarion's brain like angry bees. Most definitely anger, the one feeling he is most familiar with; a fury not at Taryon but Johnny, and every bit of his vampiric being tells him to attack. But that is, fortunately, tempered by everything else he feels that stuns him. Hurt. Confusion. But also logic, reason, tries to contain the emotions: Taryon had said he hadn't seen him since then. (Had he been lying?) No, Taryon is a terrible liar! (Why did he invite him to his room now?) It's his room, he's allowed to invite whomever he wishes! (He should have told you he was thinking about it!) Should he have??

His expression is mostly slack as he goes through all that, eyes wide as if to match Taryon's. Then the quickest flash of angry brows. Then settling on stoic, but tense. Like a statue trying hard not to shatter.

His hand curls around Taryon's in an effort to ground himself, (and, yes, maybe possessively). Astarion breathes in sharply, then out, and obviously lies:]

No.

[likemybooks]

[He just wanted to say hello to an acquaintance he hadn't spoken to in months, and instead he's introduced two cats that hate each other despite his wildest hopes that they would get along.

He turns to Astarion, who is clearly lying. He looks at Johnny, glaring. He could let them sit in silence and risk something worse, or he can distract them.

So, he slaps his hand on his knee and attempts to stand, but Astarion is hold his hand too tightly that Tary won't risk breaking their contact. He remains seated.] Now that we've met each other, how about we play a game of cards? Or a board game? We can even bring in Doty if we need a fourth player!

[rebelsamurai]

[Johnny Silverhand despises liars. Yes, sure. He had to utter a few white lies to get out of some difficult circumstances, some of which were potentially fatal, but he wasn't a blatant liar like this pale-ass elf. Astarion's fury is practically palpable at this point. It's a lot to process, especially because Taryon doesn't appear to know what to make of it.

Poor guy. Taryon looks like a deer in headlights right now. Johnny can't help but roll his eyes. He's losing his patience with this bullshit and it shows. One part of him wants to scorch earth and lay into the both of them about this whole nonsense, but that would be boring.

So why not make a game of it? A smirk curls onto his lips when Taryon mentions playing cards.]

How about Strip Poker? [He asks with a hint of sarcasm in his tone.] That way we know exactly who's workin' with what.

[sanguivorous]

What?

[He is offended, though maybe not how Johnny was aiming for. He has been naked in front of all sorts of men, so Johnny is absolutely no threat to his modesty nor his beauty. However, his mind went right to how Taryon couldn't even soak in a Jacuzzi bath with Astarion without being anxious and putting on a swimsuit. If this odd, sudden challenge was going to disconcert anyone it would be him.]

With such a childish suggestion you might as well play music so Taryon and I can play musical chairs.

[rebelsamurai]

Childish? [He bristles visibly after that little comment. Once again, Johnny is giving this gaudy pale elf another pointed glare.]

So says the bitchy input who's surprised his new boytoy has "friends."

[He gives Astarion one of his best alligator-esque grins before returning his beautiful guitar to its case. To be honest, he is no longer interested in playing for either of them. The mood has faded, and the vibes have been killed.]

[likemybooks]

[Taryon stiffens at the horrendous idea of Strip Poker.] No, I'm not—

[Games of a sexual nature were not designed for nerdy Roch boys. Though it's not a suggestion he anticipated, Tary can brush it off as a joke made in poor taste. After all, most of Vox Machina could be as bad as Johnny.

But Astarion. Astrion, who had to undress for others' needs and will. With scars on his back that will surely draw questions. Taryon doesn't care about the bad idea, he's worried how this will upset his boyfriend, who does not sound happy at all.

He makes a small noise, a premature attempt to speak. His head swivels between the two men.]

Really, I'm not angry. I don't like either od those ideas, so maybe we can try something else...?