TEST DRIVE MEME #2

[zhautasmods]

Awakening

Artificial lights assault your eyes. It takes a few blinks for them to adjust properly. Quiet mechanical whirs and clicks sound in the small, sparse space that you had likely been corralled into before being put to sleep for the long journey. As grogginess fades away and lucidity starts to take hold, you begin to remember where you are and why you’re here on this spaceship thousands of light years away from home and perhaps everything and everyone you’ve ever known.

The multiverse is sick. It’s dying. And it’s up to you to save it. Or, at least, that’s what the Zenith Corporation had told you when they announced their search for a cure across the multiverse. They hand-picked individuals to be "volunteers" for the next stage of experimentation. Maybe they made it sound dire, maybe you already had your mind set to help, or maybe the specifics of how you could help was vague. Considering the alternative was wasting away on your home planet with no promise of when this cure might actually come to fruition, it ultimately wasn’t much of a choice either way.

Everything comes to life the more awake that you start to feel. "Good morning, volunteer," sounds a synthetic, feminine voice in your ear. That must be one of the fancy features they advertised about the chip that was injected just beneath your skin. A projected HUD above your torso displays and scrolls through several readings about the state of your being. "A scan of your vital signs show that everything is functioning as normal." There’s a small pause. "Wait-" The spike of alarm that should follow that single, distressed-sounding word is accompanied by a light chime. "Emotional responses are still accurate, too. Thank you for your cooperation!" Without any further explanation or allowing for protest, she continues on. "I hope you enjoyed your nap! We’ll be descending to planet #05031941 - common name designated as Zhautas - in approximately three hours. There will be a brief orientation for all volunteers exactly one hour before landing. Due to potential unnatural stress levels upon awakening from stasis, I suggest a relaxing trip to the garden beforehand."

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask.
My name is R.O.S.I.E. and, on behalf of all of us at the Zenith Corporation, we’re happy to have you aboard.

Code Credit

Say Aloe (Prospective Players Only)

Red lights lead the way to the gym, green will be your path to the gardens, ostignuh is- Wait, what do you mean the color ostignuh is burning your eyes? Huh. They must have over-corrected for your species. Oh, well. They’ll fix that for the next trip. For now, don’t worry about it. It probably didn’t lead to anything important anyway!

1. The staff is much more attentive this time than they were with the first wave of volunteers. Poor feedback and the threat of losing their jobs if they don't improve their standing will do that! Unfortunately, it isn't just the colors that have been over-corrected. Despite how many times you tell the very helpful staff member that you're fine, they won't leave you alone. Are you sure? They can walk with you if you'd like. They can even hold your hand if you're overwhelmed! If there's anything you need, they're here for you.
   
   Maybe if you find a buddy to walk you to your destination they might divert their attention to a different volunteer. The buddy system is pretty fool-proof, after all.


2. As you draw closer to the gardens, the lights in the hallway begin to dim. In fact, the only available source of illumination for a small distance is the thin green line across the floor guiding your way. Careful not to trip! There's handy railing to hold onto or maybe you accidentally grab the arm of that (hopefully) cute person nearby. It's kind of hard to tell and green isn't really a flattering color anyway.
   
   Suddenly, you're stepping into a wide open space of twilight. Iridescent flowers dot the landscape for as far as the eye can see. They come in all different shapes, sizes, and glow softly in this simulated night-scape. Trees of shining magenta leaves and blue bark wind up to the stars. Or, at least, the viewing panels that allow the stars to be seen from inside the ship. Not to worry, it's entirely safe and beautiful!
   
   The featured flower of this month is the Nykt Blossom. Be warned, however, that inhaling its pollen causes increased levels of oxytocin. This will cause you to feel compelled to bond socially with others. That is, you might find yourself a lot more friendly than usual! Maybe a little too friendly, even, if you're especially susceptible to its effects.


3. It's very easy to miss the warning signs in this dark as you step into the section of the garden that houses the more alien plant-life.
   
   They'll fix that for the future, of course, but for now many volunteers are likely finding themselves subject to the same unfortunate circumstances. Coitendrils are in abundance here; they're a pretty touchy feely species. It's a plant that thrives in warm conditions and grows at an incredibly fast rate to seek out these cozy spots. As it turns out, your body warmth is the highest temperature around and exactly what it's looking for.
   
   Before you know it, long green tendrils are suddenly growing around your arms or legs in speedy spirals. They get everywhere in a matter of mere seconds. Their growth is aggressive, finding ways beneath the fabric of whatever clothes you happen to be wearing and to the skin below. The only way to reverse their growing hold is to cool yourself off and fast. Maybe someone can grab you some ice?

Orientation (Prospective Players Only)

Around an hour before landing, an announcement is made to everyone aboard the ship. It’s time to find your way to the amphitheater for orientation. If anyone gripes, they are reminded that it has mandatory safety information that the Zenith Corporation is legally required to cover. In fact, there's even a quiz at the end to make sure you understand all the technical ins and outs! The Zenith Corporation only has your best interests at heart. They also can’t afford another lawsuit or PR nightmare but who can, really? It’s only a half an hour long and R.O.S.I.E. reassures everyone that it will go by faster than they think.

1. Are you way too cool for school? If you try to play hookey, the crew members of the spaceship are already on guard. You're not the first one to try this and they doubt you'll be the last. Try as you might to super sleuth your way around, there’ll be someone at apparently every single turn and twist you try.
   
   It’s also very likely that in scrambling to find a place to hide you’ll run into someone else breaking the rules! Perhaps great minds think alike and you decide to try to defy the system together. Or maybe they’re totally just getting in your way and you decide instead to throw them to the wolves to give yourself a better chance at escaping certain boredom that is an informational seminar. The choice is yours, volunteer!


2. Whether you come to the orientation willingly or are dragged in by one of the staff, you’ll quickly realize just how bad R.O.S.I.E. lied. A half an hour feels almost like ten hours instead. The last time you checked your watch, it was somehow later than when you check it now. Is time going backward? It sure seems like it the longer you listen to the monotone voice read over colored flavor text clearly meant to engage but missing its mark stupendously. Even the motivation of a quiz at the end that needs to be passed in order to disembark seems to do little to nothing for your dwindling attention span.
   
   Finally, there’s a break in the bureaucratic monotony. The faceless, droning voice introduces one of the staff currently on Zhautas, Jeneviere. He's assistant to the head scientist, Professor Quintalian, and freshly assigned overseer of new volunteers. He also looks like he absolutely doesn't want to be the one doing this seminar.
   
   "Come now, Jenny," says a masculine voice off screen. "You promised."
   "I know what I said," he snaps, glaring off camera and not seeming to care much for the fact this is a live feed nor that these new volunteers are expecting something a bit more professional.
   "Then what's the problem?" the voice asks again. As it does, a tentacle wiggles into view and gives a reassuring pat on the deerman's shoulder. "I know for a fact that you like being filmed, Jenny, so really this shouldn't be so daunting-"
   
   As he speaks, Jeneviere's cheeks suddenly burn red hot. He stands forcefully out of his chair and uses one of those hoofs to kick harshly at the source of the tentacles. There's a very undignified squawk at the attack before the video feed cuts out and a technical difficulties sign is displayed.
   
   "... Right," the narrator from before says to break the undeniably awkward silence. "Just give us a moment, volunteers, and we'll get a pre-recorded seminar ready for you instead. In the meantime, let's open up communications with the facility and allow you to discuss with those already on the planet about what they've enjoyed most about their time on Zhautas so far?*
   
   
3. Hopefully, you didn't forget about the quiz! The staff certainly didn't. After the pre-recorded seminar is run, papers are handed out. A quiet shuffle carries through the room as people pass them to and fro down the aisles. It all seems rather arbitrary and tedious but remember! You have to pass in order to disembark.
   
   It isn't too hard. Or maybe it is. Perhaps it's just the pressure that you only have fifteen minutes to complete it. What was the professor's first name again? How many research facilities are there on the planet? Staff are scrutinizing your every move now, it feels like. Do you take the risk and try to whisper for help to the person next to you? Pass notes? Do what you must to succeed! ...Or you can just shamefully take the quiz again and again and again until they're legally obligated to let you off board.

Welcome to Zhautas! (All Players)

Finally, it's time to disembark at the research facility. This time they have the right coordinates so it's as easy as stepping off the ship and to your new home away from home. Or, at least, it should have been that easy...

There's an awful lot of construction going on around here. Several beings with hard hats, power tools, and ridiculous amounts of glue are rushing about. They're shouting orders and saying "excuse me" where they remember to. Still, it can be hard to get a word in edgewise about the fact that you're new volunteers here to check-in. In addition to the construction, there's also an awful lot of important-seeming people walking throughout the facility as well that staff are far more attentive to than you.

In short, it's borderline chaos as you try to get your bearings.

1. "Bad news, new volunteers," says R.O.S.I.E. in the midst of all the commotion. "We have your housing assignments but there have been some... technical difficulties in preparing the new rooms." There's actually been a lot of technical difficulties, period. Maybe you've already noticed with the lights randomly changing color or dimness, the vending machine that launched your drink at you, or R.O.S.I.E. herself glitching out periodically when responding. The problem with the rooms is that the doors won't open. Or they won't stay closed. Or that they open and close constantly and forcefully so it's a safety hazard. As if everything else going on with all the construction isn't.
   
   "We're working on it as fast as we can, but for now, we've set up a temporary sleeping situation until its resolved." Everyone will be directed to one of the larger common rooms in the east wing of the facility while the rest of the volunteers are still awaiting their new housing as promised. Mattresses are laid out in rows on the floor. There's plenty of blankets, pillows, and even some LED lights strung around the room to provide some nice ambience.
   
   Additionally, there's a screen covering one of the walls for a movie to be projected on before bed. R.O.S.I.E. has chosen a thematically appropriate film that was approved by Professor Quintalian himself. Snacks are provided too! It's an old-fashioned sleepover, volunteers. Make a blanket fort, enjoy what's on for your viewing pleasure, and have - most of all - have fun.


2. What's a sleepover without scary stories? Flashlights have been provided and it's time to get spooky. Here's your chance to share that real thriller that you know from back home. Maybe another world has a similar tale! Either way, there's nothing like bonding over a little healthy fear. Right?
   
   Or maybe terrifying strangers isn't your idea of a good time and you'd rather make shadow puppets instead. That's also an option! In fact, some people are trying to start a contest out of it to see who can cast the most creative shadows around.


3. The night staff comes around for one last security sweep. Get some sleep, they say. It's been a long day. Tomorrow might be even longer if they still can't figure out the rooms or where to put all these new volunteers for the time being.
   
   As nice as that sounds, it's a little easier said than done. Whether it's the construction noise, the person next to you snoring, or late night existential thoughts it's difficult for sleep to find you. Maybe talking to someone might help? Or maybe you just need to go to the bathroom. Good luck crossing the swath of bodies, in the case of the latter, and who knows! You might find someone else having as much trouble sleeping as you that you can commiserate with.
   
   Or maybe you're the one snoring. Do you happen to kick in your sleep? How unfortunate for the person assigned to the mat next to you. They might be courteous or they might tell you just how obnoxious it is. Whatever the case might actually be, you're likely in for a long first night here at the research facility.

Network/Bangr (All Players)

During all the goings-on, R.O.S.I.E. will prompt you to set up your presence on the network. Pick a username, a profile picture, and commence to shitposting immediately if you so desire! Additionally, if you want to get a headstart on your contribution to the volunteer program, why not set up your Bangr? R.O.S.I.E. even has an icebreaker question ready for you! They change every month. This month's question is:

Do you like wake-up sex or staying up all night?*
(*Despite what you might actually put, know that R.O.S.I.E. is a little glitchy. What you wrote might not actually be what's displayed! I.E., you can totally use this as a misfire type deal in case your character wouldn't answer this question.)

bangr

Professor Quintalian | 35

Do you like wake-up sex or staying up all night?
Wake-up sex is the best, in my opinion. Hormones are more haywire first thing in the morning; it's just scientific sense to get your bang in during wake-up time.

✓	✕
YES <span style="font-family: times; font-size:40px; color:#33cc33;">✓</span>	NO <span style="font-family: times; font-size:40px; color:#CC0000;">✕</span>

BANGR CODE Please copy this pastebin for now!

Extra Notes

• The BANGR code only works in comments, there is a separate code for entries!
  If you're testing this code before posting it here please do so in a comment to an entry for accuracy!


• TDM top levels are allowed for current characters and/or new characters!
  However, current characters can ONLY interact with the following prompts:
  WELCOME TO ZHAUTAS where new characters are on the planet AND/OR the network options available if they want the thread to be considered game canon.



NAVIGATION ✦ TAKEN ✦ RESERVES

Comments

Mink | Dramatical Murder | ota

[thairapy]

welcome to zhautus

[All of the construction was troublesome. Annoying on the best of days and well past it when he was already frustrated. Volunteering his services had been the right decision but he had assumed that they would have everything ready for their arrival. He was wrong.

As night falls and the others curl up on mattresses thrown on the floor of the common room, Mink goes to the bathroom with the intention of showering. He strips down and wraps the towel around his waist, turning the knob. He hears a sound behind him and raises a brow.]

It’s occupied, if you can’t tell.

[His voice is deep. Mink turns to face them.] Unless you care to join me.

bangr

bangr

Mink | 27

Everyone is the same. Don’t think you’re special and don’t be troublesome. We have a common task to complete. That’s all.

✓	✕
YES <span style="font-family: times; font-size:40px; color:#33cc33;">✓</span>	NO <span style="font-family: times; font-size:40px; color:#CC0000;">✕</span>

wildcard | ooc

[Open to anything. Pm or hit me up at barebone.]

[mind_of_god]

✓

Pragmatic, but dreadfully dull. Even so, there is certainly some value in a person with no illusions as to their place within the great machinations of something larger than them.

[thairapy]

✓

Inward understanding is a key part of knowing one’s place. I have no illusions that I’m something other than what I am. It might make me dull but it allows me to focus on what’s important.

[mind_of_god]

Well, let's cut to the meat of it, then. What do you feel is important? What passion has drawn you to this project?

[thairapy]

It's not passion that has brought me here. Duty. Responsibility. If we find a cure, it saves everyone.

welcome... le sob...

[sharkasm]

[Rin has been doing the only thing that makes sense in this chaos: he's been running. What he hadn't counted on was every bedroom door refusing to open - or opening and closing at an alarming speed, all automatically - which means that he wasn't able to get clean clothes to change into.

He's damn well still gonna shower. He'll just... get clean, wear a towel, and crawl under the first available blanket in the massive sleepover that he can find. Or maybe he'll ask some staff for a shirt while wearing said blanket as a toga... Point is: he's getting clean, first!

He's not expecting to find someone else in the bathroom at this hour, but then... it just figures, doesn't it? This is why the kind people at Zenith have made everything communal. Rin has just made sure to keep a schedule where it's never had to get in his way much.]

It usually is. [Occupied, that is.] Go ahead. I can wait.

[He'll just be undressing over here. At least he's used to showering with a bunch of other guys...]

[thairapy]

[Showers wasn’t inherently sexy.

They could be with the right partner or mindset. Apparently that wasn’t the case with this man. It was purely a means of getting clean. Not surprising but boring. Unless the stranger was shy.]

There’s enough room for the both of us.

[Mink could claim that it was more efficient to bathe together. Time and water waste would be cut in half. They could get in and out faster. But he was in no rush to do so. He’d come to relax and think. Now he was distracted. He might as well make it a worthwhile distraction.]

Get in.

[He tugs the band from around his head and twists his hair atop his head, securing it with the fabric. A few loose dreads escape near his face but the majority won’t get wet.]

[sharkasm]

['Shy' wasn't the right word for it, maybe... 'Inexperienced' and maybe even 'prude' applied, however!

Dread Guy, on the other hand... Rin isn't easily intimidated, but he's a little intimidated now. He's not even sure where it came from all of a sudden - something instinctive after a reaction that had come purely on autopilot, maybe, or just getting a better look at the guy as he did his hair up.]

Right... Thanks.

[Whatever's gotten into him, there's no point in dwelling on it. He's here to get clean, so he's gonna get clean! In fact, if he gets his hair wet real quick, he can shampoo it up away from Dread Guy, and give him some space.]

[thairapy]

[Mink wasn't a threat but he didn't care to reassure anyone that he wasn't. There was a limited number of people he gave that kind of attention to. But. He understood that here he had to make adjustments. They had to participate in the experiments if they wanted to make a difference and save their friends and family. He would do his part.]

Why are you thanking me?

[He knows. He's just trying to lighten the tension. It was a small shower and he didn't want it to be uncomfortable. Mink drops the towel and steps aside with his head tipped down. He gestures towards the shower.]

After you.

welcome to the madness

[brotrips]

(They've set out the terms and conditions, Noctis is well aware that to save his people, he'll have to turn to sex. He's accepted his role as an experiment despite the premise, but he doesn't expect to get nude with another man quite so soon.

He should have knocked first. Instead, he thinks he's watched the door well enough to find it empty. Eager to get a shower of his own, the prince rushes forward, now also clad in only a towel.

Intantly, he freezes in place, his dark eyes going to Mink's impressive chest. Damn it. Are all guys going to look like Gladio in here?

Noctis is much smaller, his frame slender but with a slightly athletic build. His skin is pale, the color contrasting with dark hair and eyes.

Again, the prince wonders why all men can't just have muscles, leveling the playing field. )

Yeah... No.. Yeah, I see that it's occupied. (He needs to go outside and wait, but he's been waiting for hours now, and someone's always managed to steal it before him. Still, that's the proper thing to do.

... He has to be bold, or he'll fall to sleep covered in plant gunk. )

I'm going to guard the door.

[thairapy]

[Those eyes drop to his chest and his own narrow. He’s well built and tall, standing a little over six feet, but he’s noticed the others here. He’s hardly unique. If anything, this stranger was with his pale skin and dark hair and eyes.]

Don’t.

[He didn’t need protection. People could come and go as they pleased. He didn’t necessarily want a group in the shower but it was too late to worry about any of that. Expending unnecessary energy was, well, unnecessary.]

Join me. [A slight pause.] Unless you’re shy.

[Which wasn’t a problem for him but it didn’t fit well with this place.]

[brotrips]

(Isn't that the problem? Noctis isn't tiny, but he's smaller than men like Mink, and it's all the more obvious in this kind of place, where the men seemed to be made out of marbel. The prince has yet adjust to the sexual thoughts so for now, the gaze is more envious than lustful.

The problem is that Noctis is shy. 'Never been kissed' kind of shy, but maybe this is the kind of thing that will ease him into nudity and sex. Besides, shy as he may be, it isn't something he advertises. Instead, he wants to be cool and collected.

The inability to meet Mink's gaze betrays his real tentative emotions. )

Yeah. It's just a shower. (Together. With a stranger. Naked. No big deal. ) Worse stuff is going on out there.

(Still gripping his towel, Noctis takes a few steps forward.

Oh. That... Uh... That shower head sure is small if shared by two people. )

[thairapy]

[Shy then. It wasn't a problem. Some men were nervous with nudity. Modest or unaccustomed to the situation. He doesn't meet Mink's eyes and his own narrow. With a slight nod towards the shower, he moves to let Noctis step inside.]

Go ahead.

[Since it was just a shower.]

I won't do anything you don't want.

[Now that was out of the way, Mink drops his own towel and twists his hair atop his head using the band to keep the dreads from getting to wet. He watches, patiently, and a little amused to see what his new friend is going to do. Will he get in? Will he decide to wait?]

bangr

[bottombitch]

mink...?
so you're here too
somehow i didn't think you were the type

[ He's genuinely surprised, he was always this dour and intimidating mountain of a man, a one-time ally he wasn't expecting but suspected Scrap had something to do with it. And then after everything, he disappeared just as he came -- without much fanfare. ]

how was the trip?

[ Aoba is blessedly unaware of your route, Mink. ]

[thairapy]

[Aoba.

He hadn't thought Aoba would be here. Not that he wouldn't be one to volunteer but that Mink wasn't prepared to imagine him in place like this one. He's jealous, instantly. Despondent just as quickly.]

Not the type?
We all have reasons for agreeing to do this.

[Helping the people they were responsible for and wanted to protect.]

It was troublesome.
Have you been here long?

[bottombitch]

[ SURPRISE, now if only that were the extent of surprises today for Mink. One could say 'poor Mink' but... is he so deserving of sympathy on his path to redemption? ]

i guess so
you always seemed to have your own agenda is what i'm saying

not long at all, just about two and a half weeks ago
um
they don't really seem ready to take on volunteers
yet they keep doing it anyway
it's already bad enough we're sharing a single bed with our roommates
but now we've got people camping in the common areas

[thairapy]

True enough.
I had hoped you made it out unscathed.

They are unprepared. It’s unprofessional.
But it doesn’t really matter, does it?

Shared beds. Camping in the common areas.
We’re here for a reason and all of that can only help.

welcome to zhautus

[compelledtoprotect]

[Sleeping in a communal room and using communal showers was par for the course if you were in the service, and Steve had spent a long time with a lot of men who didn't much mind getting naked together. It was the one aspect of the place that he had no real issues with, but it didn't stop him from trying to take advantage of off hours. Some people might try to take advantage of his better nature and he didn't have any desire to get into a fight.

Steve grinned at the other man as he came around the corner, a towel slung around his own waist for he benefit of others, not so much his own modesty. You lost that among the other soldiers pretty fast, but he didn't want to bother anyone he didn't already know.]


Hey. Looks like we had the same idea. You mind sharing?

[thairapy]

[Mink wasn't shy and didn't mind sharing the showers with others. He highly doubted he was the only one that didn't care. Clearly this man wasn't shy about having to use the shower at the same time as someone else.]

Not at all. [He steps aside to let the man into the shower.] There's not much room.

[Which didn't bother Mink either. After twisting his hair up, he drops his towel and moves under the water to get his body wet.]

Are you accustomed to this?

[compelledtoprotect]

[Unlike some people, Steve didn't even consider glancing at the naked guy next to him, at least not initially, and he only considered it after he was under his own shower head because of a certain conversation with a very sex-crazed man. He hadn't thought twice about hanging his own towel and stepping under the spray, and he firmly closed his eyes as he washed, just in case. You learned to do that in the service too since it was rude to stare. Lots of soldiers had very battered bodies and he'd never wanted anyone to feel uncomfortable, especially since his own showed no real signs of the traumas he'd suffered over the years.

You also learned to be quick, both to save enough hot water for the next man, and to be courteous enough to let someone else wash the hell of war off as quickly as possible. He was scrubbed and stepping away from the water in less than five minutes, slicking his hair back and trying to shake off as much water as possible before wrapping up in his towel. He tossed the man a smile, careful to keep his eyes on the guy's face. Steve was a good boy after all.]


Well, that's me done. It was nice to meet you Mr. . . . ?

[thairapy]

[Mink considers taking his time, but then his new companion is showered and ready to exit before he's even rinsed the soap from his chest. He raises an eyebrow and angles his head towards him.]

Mink. No mister in the front.

[Frowning he turns the water off and reaches for his towel, wrapping it around his waist.]

Where are you going?

[He'll admit he's a little disappointed. Steve was well built and attractive. They were all here for sex. Was he not to this man's tastes?]

Are you not interested?

welcome to Zhautas

[zunge]

[Mink might want to wipe whatever expression grows on his face pretty quickly, because... well...

Guess who.

Having recently finished unwrapping the bandages from his hand and forearms, Noiz has one hand working on unbuttoning his short-sleeve shirt and a towel draped over the other when he turns the corner to spot a familiar face. Or more like, a familiar head of hair. The face comes after a moment.]

Ah... look what the octoprof dragged in.

[Complete and utter deadpan composure.]

These are communal.

[Gosh it's not like he was aiming to go into the same stall.]

[thairapy]

[Ah. Him.

Mink turns away to step into the shower. There wasn’t any point in being polite when they already knew one another. Noiz knew what his personality was like, he didn’t have to put effort into developing a good relationship.]

I could say the same. [He takes some soap and runs it over his chest, looking over his shoulder at Noiz.] And?

It is still showering with those you don’t know.

[zunge]

And, people get bothered by a lot of pointless things. As if I care who sees.

[Noiz shrugs as he finishes undoing and removing his shirt. that leaves the capri pants and underwear. Even with working air conditioning indoors, he's taken to leaving off the long sleeves and leggings. Heat exhaustion outside is too much of a risk.

Assuming no one interrupts, he'll soon make quick work of the pants and boxers. If at any time Mink happens to glance over at the right moment he'll spot a few glints of metal on his dick, and in his navel. Though Mink's unlikely to make a big deal over it, it's worth noting.]

Move over. There's enough room for two.

[thairapy]

[Mink was not modest. He carried no shame in being nude and wasn't bothered if anyone saw him. It was his body and it looked how it did. If the other person was uncomfortable, that was on them. Noiz didn't seem to care.

He turns under the water to watch Noiz undress. While he's not actively looking to 'see' his body, more out of curiosity if Noiz will join him or not, he's drawn to all the piercings.]

You could ask nicely.

[But he moves anyway, letting Noiz under the water now that he's rinsed off. Mink slowly smooths his fingers through his hair, twisting the pieces here and there.]