estoria | [OPEN] Why dont you ask him if he's going to stay?

Entry tags:

[OPEN] Why dont you ask him if he's going to stay?

Who:

johnnyjoestar & you?
When: backdated 7/10
Where: The gardens, the shopping district, the residential district.
What: Johnny tries to find his way around and is generally bad at technology.
Rating/Warning: None, but will updated if needed.

[Act I - Morning]
[The last few days had been pretty wild. Johnny wasn't sure how else to put it. Though some of the residents had encouraged him with the idea that he'd find his friends here, his only companion was his horse, Slow Dancer. He was thrilled to see the Appaloosa, who seemed no worse for the wear, but everything else here was downright alien.

The day was only just beginning when Slow Dancer nudged him, waking him from half-formed dreams and bringing him back to reality(though that too was questionable). They'd been camping out in the gardens the last couple nights and though the weather was warm, they should probably look for some more permanent quarters. Slow Dancer needed a proper stable and they could only survive on the public gardens for so long without being caught, he was sure.

That strange box had been beeping again too. He'd thought it some kind of explosive at first, and thrown it a fair distance away, only to find that it hovered quite neatly a few inches off the ground. As he'd watched other passers-by, he'd seen them holding the same device, but whatever it did, the thing just looked like a piece of junk to him.]

Mornin'.

[He sat up enough to pet Slow Dancer's muzzle and started packing up his makeshift camp.]

[Act II - Mid-day]
[After a lot of trotting back and forth, as he debated whether or not to go inside, Johnny was kind of surprised to see a shopkeeper come out to speak with him. Luckily, the man understood what he was looking for- at least, Johnny had thought he did, when he brought out all these strange self-propelled wheelchairs, Johnny had almost lost it. He already struggled with his legs, he wasn't about to give up his arms next. He would get around on his own strength thank-you-very-much and after some arguing that got him a little red in the face, both with frustration and the public nature of the conversation, the man wheeled out a simplistic looking thing that seemed like it would fall apart rather than hold his weight, but as Johnny released the saddle belts on his legs and tried it out, it was surprisingly comfortable and easy to use. Way less bulky than his old chair. And it even folded up small enough that he could add it to Slow Dancer's pack.

Going new places during the race had always been a struggle between where Slow Dancer could go and where he could get himself and whether or not the town even had a wheelchair to borrow, but this was probably the first thing he'd actually been pleased about since his arrival. When he got to the part where they talked price, the man kept asking about that strange device and Johnny was a little startled when he dug it out and handed it over. There were lights and sounds and other stuff he didn't really get, but after fiddling with it, they handed it back and told him he owned the chair. So that was... something.

The shopkeeper left him to it and Johnny sat in his new chair, fumbling with the device in his hands. How the hell did the thing work? Was it that important? Shit, he'd almost thrown it away!]

[Act III - late afternoon]

[Today had been surprisingly productive. Johnny still didn't know where they were staying, but the device had some names listed. So far, no stables though. And he was getting really tired of all the stares. Hadn't anyone ever seen a guy on horseback before? It seemed like it should be obvious, but he'd realized, over the last couple days, that for this colony, it was a very uncommon form of transportation.

He wasn't about to trade in his prize horse for a carriage that drove itself though, not by a long shot. So what if this was some bizarre future with locomotives that didn't even run on steam? They'd brought him here, they could deal with him and his horse or get used to the idea of them taking over part of the gardens as their own personal stables and pen for Slow Dancer.

Johnny dismounted and tied the reins expertly to a post outside the next building before heading for the entrance.]

Hello?

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[Johnny is quick to shake his head at her suggestion of ViViD. No, there was no way in hell he was doing that again, let alone putting Slow Dancer through it.]

No- I, no.

Don't tell me you want to go back into one of those?!

[He's honestly shocked she'd suggest it, but more that she would want to go back in. Especially since their last time got them nearly drowned and swallowed alive by a whale. No. Just no.]

[It's so normal to her to just throw herself back into things as soon as she can, with little regard of personal safety, that his reply actually catches her by surprise. But upon thinking of nearly drowning and being swallowed by a whale....she can see why he'd not want to go back. (And honestly, she wasn't too keen on going back to that particular game either.)]

I do intend to.

There is a lot that I can learn from ViViD, and some of the games can be quite fun. [She's played a weird sheep-herding game and then some kind of game where she was the mayor of a tiny town filled with monsters that were both kind of fun. Besides, she has a lot of down-time after school since the Lady Luck wasn't yet open.]

I will help you find another place. Have you thought of taking runs later at night? Or is it perhaps too dark?

[That timid-looking face held an awful lot of resolve. Johnny gave a considering sigh at the explanation. He wasn't certain what could be learned from anything of that beach they'd visited, but she was the experienced one. ]

Mm. Learn... what exactly?

[He shakes his head at her other question. Riding at night is never ideal- though the way the city is lit, it's probably not as much of a problem. Still...]

This place ain't that dark. There's lights everywhere, but visibility isn't great. A horse lives and dies by its legs though. If there was some kinda hole or ditch or something and I missed it because I couldn't see, it could- well- It's just better not to. 'preciate the thought though.

[She's learned not to go swimming in what amounts to a huge, plastic hamster ball and not to wear incredibly skimpy swimsuits to the beach. That's pretty good for just the one ViViD session.]

Learn to work with others, what it means to fight by someone's side. I have also been able to practice sheep herding. [Evidently she found this just as important, which is why she's mentioning it to him.]

I will help you find other places, then. Surely there must be. [She wouldn't want Slow Dancer hurt, after all...]

[Dammit. She had a point. He might not understand what the hell kind of person would put them all through that, but leave it to Veronica to find the silver lining. He tried to look somewhat contrite, though it seemed more like a pout with his full lips. Slow Dancer chuffed a couple times, as if to add to the conversation.]

Sheep herding huh? No kidding?

[Okay, if that was the task, that would have been no problem. Why couldn't he have come in when that was going on instead of some weird beach party?]

You don't really gotta put yourself out like that. Not that I don't appreciate it. I just- feel a little like I'm takin' advantage.

No. I am not. [Kidding, that is. Her taste in games is about the same as her taste in books: as long as it's interesting, she's probably down to try it, not matter how weird it actually turns out to be. But she smiles, at what looks like a pout and at the answer from Slow Dancer (who earns himself another light scratch to the bridge of his nose for his contribution to the conversation).]

I offer myself willingly. If I thought you were taking advantage, I would tell you. [And because she's nothing if not blunt and truthful, she really would.] It is only a small thing. I would like to help, if you will allow it.

I guess if it was somethin' like that, it wouldn't be so bad. I'll think about it.

[Which is a hell of a lot more than he'd been willing to do earlier.

Slow Dancer sure seems to be appreciating the attention though. She was gonna spoil him rotten.

Not just the horse, apparently. Johnny wasn't quite sure what to make of a girl who could be so selfless, not wanting anything in return for her kindness. Before the accident, girls only talked him up to get in his pants or get themselves a little piece of his fame. Maybe the two weren't mutually exclusive. But he'd been young and stupid and paid a hefty price for it. Enough to make him cautious of any offer that seemed too good to be true. But Veronica, well, she seemed to enjoy proving his assumptions wrong at every opportunity.]

You're a piece a' work, you know?

[His lips quirked up in the tiniest smile, a rare thing, when it came to Johnny.]

Alright how's this- since Slow Dancer seems so taken with ya anyway, we'll take ya for a ride, not as payment or anything- just y'know...

[He looks a little embarrassed at himself for the paltry gesture and rubs the back of his neck, looking aside.]

T'say thanks.

[Veronica was about to say that she would like it if he let her know when he did decide so they could go together when he makes an offer like that.

She doesn't say anything like "you don't have to" because she catches that tiny little smile, hears the accent making its way back into his voice, the little gesture of looking away as if he didn't think this were enough. But it is. It's more than enough. That's evident in the way her entire expression lights up, eyes widening and then immediately crinkling again into a smile. This is one of the best things he could have ever offered her, and it shows clearly and brightly on her face and in her tone of voice which is breathless with delight.]

Yes!

[Veronica's smile turns to Slow Dancer (who deserved, as far as she was concerned, to be spoiled as much as she could manage) then back to Johnny.]

Yes, I would like that very much! [And because she remembers her manners just in time:] Thank you, Johnny.

[The enthusiasm wasn't all that surprising, but it did make him feel more at ease and less in her debt. And, he figured, if they found a stable, Slow Dancer had as much to gain as he did, so they shared equal parts in showing their gratitude.

He gives a nod and motions for her to take a step back before he gives a short whistle. Slow Dancer is quick to bend his neck, and Johnny uses that same rotation that Gyro had taught him to pull himself up as Slow Dancer's head rises again. The motion is like a quick-spinning flip, and lands Johnny a little haphazardly in the saddle, but steady enough to start belting his legs into the custom straps at the saddle's sides.]

You wanna hitch that chair to Slow Dancer's post and toss me the reins?

[It was something he usually did himself- there was an order to everything- but things were easier with two. Besides, it gave him time to adjust himself a little further back in the saddle to make room for Veronica before he offered a hand.]

It's like goin' up couple a' really big steps. First one's to the stirrup there, that hoop for your foot. Then your other leg's gonna step all the way over.

[Veronica watches with wide eyes, despite the fact that she's seen the rotation once before. But not at this scale, and just seeing him do it has her smiling quickly, brightly. She had wondered earlier what the custom straps were for, and it makes so much sense now that she's seen them in action.]

All right. [Not minding at all, she wheels the chair over, hitching it to the post before making her way back over and handing him the reins. He's sitting further back by the time she's done and though she's never shared a horse with anyone, it doesn't take long for her to figure out where she's supposed to sit.

Slow Dancer seems very tall now that she's supposed to be climbing on, but that isn't going to stop her at all as she takes his hand. It's like going up big steps, right? She can do that.]

One foot here- [And then boost? She trusts in him, trying to use a combination of his support and her own foot to push herself up.

Veronica isn't heavy by any means, but hopefully she doesn't drag him down...]

'Preciate it.

[He takes the reins with his free hand and leans to shift his weight as she steps up. Probably shoulda asked if she wants to sit side-saddle, but this is the way he knows best and it seems natural to teach someone else the same. He helps ease her into the front of the saddle, an arm on either side of her, and the reins held loosely before her.]

You can keep your feet in the stirrups, those loops on either side of the saddle. They'll help you even out your balance a little. Can you reach 'em okay?

[Since he doesn't have any use for them, he hasn't bothered to adjust the belts to bring the stirrups up. Slow Dancer finds his balance as well, taking a few shuffling steps at the extra weight.]

[Veronica settles comfortably (and very happily) in front of him, this being her first time on a horse. Ever. She's not entirely sure where her hands should go and after a brief pause, places them lightly on the saddle in front of her. If she placed her hands on his, it seemed like she'd be getting in the way of him holding the reins, so she doesn't do that.

Thankfully he explains what stirrups are so she doesn't have to ask, though she does look down at them, carefully threading her feet through the loops. She barely touches the ends of them but that should be fine, right? He won't let her fall, she's sure of it.]

Yes.

[Having to talk to him while he's behind her is kind of weird to her since she can't see his face, so she shifts a little until she can at least see the side of his face.]

Thank you for this, Johnny. Where do we go now? Riding?

Edited 2016-06-27 05:32 (UTC)

[He waits for her to find the footholds and nods once.]

You can hang onto the cantle there, that raised bit in front- oh. Yeah, you got it.

[He hardly seems to notice how close she is when he's focused on talking about riding, but she turns just as he's leaning in and he smirks a little.]

It's fine. You don't have'ta thank me for somethin' like this.

[He clicks the reins lightly and Slow Dancer starts out at a modest trot, but he can already tell how much the Appaloosa wants to build speed. For now, he keeps them at the same gentle pace.]

I'm sure you c'n feel that bounce to the saddle when he starts going, yeah? If you can reach, try to lean your weight into the stirrups. It helps absorb some of the movement, but it might be rough on your uh- thighs if you haven't ridden before.

I think Slow Dancer's itchin' to show you he can run. You up for it?

So it is called a cantle. [She's learned yet another new thing today, and the thought makes her smile quickly to herself before turning it in response to his little smirk, about to tell him that she didn't thank him because she had to when he flicks the reins gently and they're off.

Yet again, she's left wondering why they'd never let her ride a horse before this, openly marveling with each step that Slow Dancer takes. There is definitely a bounce that she feels with every movement, and she does as she's told. Or at least, she tries. Leaning her weight takes a bit of reaching, her fingers tightening on the cantle even though she finds herself curious about how rough it actually would be on her thighs (and why there was that small pause before he'd said the word). As soon as she's sure that she's got this whole leaning her weight thing down, she smiles eagerly at him again, her eyes shining.]

Yes!

That's right. Some saddles'll have a horn there instead, but for racing, it kinda gets in the way.

[If he had to pick between a sore ass and sore thighs, he'd take the latter, but it wasn't really an option for him. Luckily, the custom-saddle made it easier for him to put weight on his legs, but it was a mixed blessing when he couldn't feel much there, much less make them obey him well enough to ride properly.

He lets her test it out while Slow Dancer sticks to the restrained trot, but waits for her to agree before increasing the speed. The smile is infectious and while Johnny isn't exactly known for his, he wears a thin one as he puts an arm around her waist for safety and clicks the reins one more time.]

Lean in and hold on tight.

[He's pressed to her back as he does the same and Slow Dancer starts to run as if he was born to it. The change is sudden thunderous and exhilarating and while it's not Slow Dancer's top speed- that would be quite a trick with two people- it's enough to feel the wind in their hair and the rush that only comes with riding.]

[Veronica isn't entirely certain what one would use a (car) horn for while on a horse, mulling it over on her own briefly as she leans in over the cantle, tightening her grip.

She hadn't doubted him when he told her that Slow Dancer was born to run, and her belief is proven a thousand fold when they pick up speed. Any questions she was going to ask about horns on horses is lost for the moment in a breathlessly delighted laugh. The closest equivalent she had to the feeling is standing at the highest reachable point of the castle and feeling the breeze through her hair or driving at around the speed limit around Holly Heights (which was admittedly less similar because the whole place was residential and there was only so fast you could go). But even those don't really come close enough to the feeling of holding onto Slow Dancer, sharing in that thrilling speed as he runs.

She'll talk Johnny's ear off about all this soon enough, but for now the normally talkative princess is quiet and more than a little awestruck.]

[Since there's no race to run anymore, Johnny is content to just let Slow Dancer run for a while. It doesn't take long before they're on the outskirts of the town, skirting its edge. Though the sound of heavy hooves on the pavement is loud, it's easy to make out Veronica's excited laughter.

He understands the feeling well enough. At his father's stables, he'd seen plenty of other young men visit, riding for the first time or there wishing to be the man's protege. Though some riders lacked technique, it was always easy to spot those who honestly loved riding, and they don't need to speak to communicate that much.

When Slow Dancer's pace begins to wind down, Johnny doesn't push, but lets the Appaloosa slow back down to a trot. He sits a little straighter in the saddle, now that he's not trying to crouch down for speed.]

Anywhere in particular you wanna go?

[Veronica's smile stays even after their pace slows and she can finally look around her without her hair whipping into her face. She reaches up absently to tuck her hair back, sitting straighter once she feels that he's no longer leaning on her.

Being near the outskirts of town meant being nearer to the jungle that she knew was not a fun trip. She isn't going to tell him not to go, but at the same time she knows that there would be very little they could do for each other if they decided to head in there.]

I was only taking a walk so I did not have plans so to speak of. What about you? Is there anywhere you have not been? Are you hungry?

We've made the rounds a few times. There's a lot of shops I haven't seen yet, but I don't think they'd be real keen on Slow Dancer joining us.

[He gave the appaloosa a couple pats on his broad neck. Slow Dancer snorted once, no change in his pace.]

I think he's had enough apples to keep him from tearing up the grass too much around here if we wanted to see about food. We've mostly been cooking outdoors. They use some kinda weird currency here, y'know?

[Poor Slow Dancer...though she can't imagine why he isn't allowed to join them. She's sure that he'll be very well behaved!]

I know. The cards. That is what you are speaking of, are you not?

[She's familiar with them since they had them back in Holly Heights too.]

I never used currency before [being a princess that had to stay in one place all the time and never really interacted much with other people] but it is quite convenient, I think. And cooking outdoors sounds wonderful. Do you use fire then? Or perhaps something more portable?

Edited 2016-07-08 02:47 (UTC)

[Johnny nods before remembering she can't see his face unless she turns pretty far.]

Uh- yeah. I guess they work kinda like a tab and use 'em to keep track of what you buy or somethin'.

[He's only just figured it out after purchasing that chair earlier today. Strange way of working things, he thinks.]

That's what we been usin', yeah. I got a mess kit in my pack and a few other things. There's a lot of stuff that's edible in the gardens, not much game. Back home it was never too hard to catch a jackrabbit or two before supper, but here? Nah.

[Fruits and vegetables were fine enough, but it was hard not to crave meat once in a while.]

[Getting to just swipe a card was much more convenient than the little bags of coins that she had seen Glen and Rida carry around back home, especially as she was carrying more money than that now and with much less weight. Some days she can't help but to wonder if they would have found all this as fascinating as well.]

What is a "mess kit"? And why do you not go to the supermarket for game? There is a meat section.

[Johnny raised an eyebrow at that. Not only had she not heard of mess kits, she was well-versed in shopping around town. Huh.]

How 'bout I tell you about mess kits and you tell me about the supermarket?

[He fumbled with the saddle-bag and pulled out a dented plate and fork and an old tin cup.]

Finest traveling table-ware this side of Mississippi. Plate even doubles as a frying pan.

[Veronica already plans on telling him about the supermarket, but she's beaten to it when he pulls out what is most likely the mess kit. It's clear that she's fascinated anyways, eyes bright and a smile audible in her tone as she reaches out with one hand to lightly touch first the plate then the fork and tin cup.]

So it is tableware! Having a plate that doubles as a frying pan is very smart. Does that mean that the cup can be used to make soup, perhaps? Although a very little bit of soup. [Like...maybe a one person serving.

But right, supermarkets. She promised.]

Supermarkets are very much like a store, albeit only for food. It is separated by kinds of produce and you can buy anything from fresh vegetables to meat, to dried fruits and bread.

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[OPEN] Why dont you ask him if he's going to stay?

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