peip-wecallitpeep

[peip-wecallitpeep]

[The light turned green and John's foot easily moved over to the gas pedal, as the car moved forward. Passing under the stoplight. A red tint flashing over the windshield and his face. The car hummed nicely as he went down the road. The scenery getting more familiar every few meters as they got closer to where their destination was.

He let out a hum. The bits of the story he forgot coming back to him now. He recalled hearing about it from someone, a different time in a different place he wished he could recall. Only thing he could remember was how it ended. Orpheus losing Eurydice despite all the work he had done to get her back. All his efforts in vain due to doubt and the narrative. something about it left some bad taste in his mouth. But his face didn't show it, instead he slowed down and made a right.]

"Suppose it could be, either way we look at it, both versions are a tragedy. Ending with loss and Eurydice gone due to Orpheus's mistake."

[He shrugged. There was a short pause, only the sounds of the wheels moving against the road filling the quiet before John added on]

"At least in our version, Eurydice is happy."

Lingering in the darkness of John’s kitchen, the smell of cigarette smoke and bleach is strong. Wiley lingers in there, lighting the cigarette gifted from last time and bringing it to its lips. It didn’t bother with the light, nor move from the countertop it currently sat on.

— [ @previously-missing-in-action ]

[The time on the clock indicated it was sometime in the evening. John walked into the kitchen, looking disheveled. He couldn't say he's slept well or at all since his last run in with. . .it, putting more focus into work than ever to ignore the buzz in his chest when he thought of that damned kiss. The feeling still lingering on his lips.

His husband had gone on a 5 to 7-day business trip. Which John was more than thankful for. It gave him time to think, to pull himself together so he could continue to be the faithful husband he'd always been. He didn't even notice the other on the counter till he stopped dead in his tracks, slowly turning around and blinking to ensure he was actually not having some sort of sleep-deprived hallucination]

". . .What the hell are you doing here?"

[peip-wecallitpeep]

"Alright, could you tell me a bit more about Tinky then?"

[He asked after a beat, his pen being twirled around in his hand absentmindedly as he stared at the kid awaiting an answer. His eyes just a bit too intense, mostly about the prospect of potentially being able to create a line of defense against the beings within the black and white.

It was a quiet evening in PEIP Headquarters. General McNamara thought he was the only one left in the facility, but apparently not.

"Woah..." Spoke a voice, young and curious. "This place is huge! So many techy stuff!" The figure whisper-shouted with excitement.

- @the-curious-adventurer

[John was more than ready to get home. See his Husband, watch wheel of fortune maybe. . .but of course that voice cut through that plan. He Tensed. How in God's name did someone get into the headquarters? It wasn't a name he recognized. His hand hovered over his firearm as he went in the direction of the sound, aiming to investigate.]

[peip-wecallitpeep]

[He gave a small affirmative nod and changed his mental compass. His hands moving the wheel on autopilot now. His heart and soul knew where to go, his brain didn't need to do too much work.

His more chatty mood, if you could call it that, had died down significantly from how it had been when the two first met in John's small kitchen earlier that evening. His body and mind now running mostly on fumes, a few swigs of scotch and the stubbornness to not doze off behind a wheel with someone else inside the vehicle. Even if he was sure Wiley could easily take care of itself, he still would rather that situation to not become a reality.

Despite not being the most controversial, he still answered it's question without too much of a stop in between the asked and the answer.]

"If I recall correctly and, correct me if I'm wrong, isn't it about Orpheus trying to save his wife from the Underworld? Haven't thought about it in awhile so, it's a bit foggy-"

Lingering in the darkness of John’s kitchen, the smell of cigarette smoke and bleach is strong. Wiley lingers in there, lighting the cigarette gifted from last time and bringing it to its lips. It didn’t bother with the light, nor move from the countertop it currently sat on.

— [ @previously-missing-in-action ]

[The time on the clock indicated it was sometime in the evening. John walked into the kitchen, looking disheveled. He couldn't say he's slept well or at all since his last run in with. . .it, putting more focus into work than ever to ignore the buzz in his chest when he thought of that damned kiss. The feeling still lingering on his lips.

His husband had gone on a 5 to 7-day business trip. Which John was more than thankful for. It gave him time to think, to pull himself together so he could continue to be the faithful husband he'd always been. He didn't even notice the other on the counter till he stopped dead in his tracks, slowly turning around and blinking to ensure he was actually not having some sort of sleep-deprived hallucination]

". . .What the hell are you doing here?"

[peip-wecallitpeep]

[He glanced up, giving a smile and a salute back. Glad to have helped the kids worrys at least partially]

"No need to thank me, it's what I do. So, could you tell me more about the Lord's? Any weaknesses. . . or things that could be used to our advantage?"

It was a quiet evening in PEIP Headquarters. General McNamara thought he was the only one left in the facility, but apparently not.

"Woah..." Spoke a voice, young and curious. "This place is huge! So many techy stuff!" The figure whisper-shouted with excitement.

- @the-curious-adventurer

[John was more than ready to get home. See his Husband, watch wheel of fortune maybe. . .but of course that voice cut through that plan. He Tensed. How in God's name did someone get into the headquarters? It wasn't a name he recognized. His hand hovered over his firearm as he went in the direction of the sound, aiming to investigate.]

[peip-wecallitpeep]

"I don't mind the location, as long as I'm with someone I care about and love. There is such a thing as reaching too high, Ever hear of Icarus?"

[He took a small right, going down an unknown street with unknown people. Some kids catching fireflies in their front yard, Their mother on the porch watching them with a loving gaze. Some other family, a house down, was getting out of a busted-up car and going into their busted-up house, must have been getting back from an outing of sorts. The neighborhood wasn't highly lavish, far from it, but there wasn't a miserable face in sight. They were happy, with each other.

John stopped at a red light, foot going from the gas pedal to gently press the break so he could slow to a stop. Watching a woman walk her small, young dog across the crosswalk. It was then He took notice of the question asked, giving a small shrug in response.]

"I'm not sure, truthfully. Was just driving to drive, but I suppose we should set a location. Wasting gas going like this. Might you have any suggestions?"

[He was, thinking of going to the same place of course, but since tensions had risen he was unsure if the other would want to go there. So he gave the choice to Wiley. While waiting for an answer, and the light to turn green he lit another cigarette. Simultaneously taking a drag and rolling down his window to blow the smoke out of, resting his arm on the open window as he tapped the cigarette against the exterior of the car to let the ash fall onto the street pavement.]

Lingering in the darkness of John’s kitchen, the smell of cigarette smoke and bleach is strong. Wiley lingers in there, lighting the cigarette gifted from last time and bringing it to its lips. It didn’t bother with the light, nor move from the countertop it currently sat on.

— [ @previously-missing-in-action ]

[The time on the clock indicated it was sometime in the evening. John walked into the kitchen, looking disheveled. He couldn't say he's slept well or at all since his last run in with. . .it, putting more focus into work than ever to ignore the buzz in his chest when he thought of that damned kiss. The feeling still lingering on his lips.

His husband had gone on a 5 to 7-day business trip. Which John was more than thankful for. It gave him time to think, to pull himself together so he could continue to be the faithful husband he'd always been. He didn't even notice the other on the counter till he stopped dead in his tracks, slowly turning around and blinking to ensure he was actually not having some sort of sleep-deprived hallucination]

". . .What the hell are you doing here?"

[peip-wecallitpeep]

[He glanced over at the one handed maneuver, slightly impressed. He stared a bit too long at the scar however, running a stop sign without even noticing. He wondered how that happened, what caused it, how much pain it inflicted. It certainly looked pretty bad, albeit healed. Some type of worry flooded his mind as he thought about it. But then he thought about how long he'd been staring, and cleared his throat to himself, John forced himself to look ahead instead. Thankful to have a chance at conversation to distract him.]

"It's not as bad as you think it is, first impression of the place isn't as good as I wished it had been but. . . You get used to it."

[his thumb tapped idly on the wheel of his sedan as he drove, thinking to himself as his headlights traced flecks of light across items by the streets. Litter, signs, a few trees and a raccoon trying to open a trashcan. Streetlights illuminated what would otherwise be a pitch black landscape. John narrowed his eyes though the glare of the flickering streetlights. Casting pinprick rays through the sliver of light he could see, a telltale sign of the astigmatism he either refused to or failed to properly acknowledge.

Part of him wished to go home, he had to go in for work in the morning and he desperately needed the rest. Not getting any the 2 previous nights due to. . . personal matters he'd rather not bring attention to. But the other, more sentimental part of him wanted to keep driving aimlessly. Keeping the other in the car with him, using as much time as he could spend with it.

It wasn't Wilbur, he knew that. Wilbur wasn't coming back, but. . . Wiley wasn't that bad. Tupperware eating tendencies aside. It just seemed. . . lost in a way, sad. If he could help, he will. Not for Wilbur's sake, not for his, but for it's. That's a nice thought, he'd thought]

Lingering in the darkness of John’s kitchen, the smell of cigarette smoke and bleach is strong. Wiley lingers in there, lighting the cigarette gifted from last time and bringing it to its lips. It didn’t bother with the light, nor move from the countertop it currently sat on.

— [ @previously-missing-in-action ]

[The time on the clock indicated it was sometime in the evening. John walked into the kitchen, looking disheveled. He couldn't say he's slept well or at all since his last run in with. . .it, putting more focus into work than ever to ignore the buzz in his chest when he thought of that damned kiss. The feeling still lingering on his lips.

His husband had gone on a 5 to 7-day business trip. Which John was more than thankful for. It gave him time to think, to pull himself together so he could continue to be the faithful husband he'd always been. He didn't even notice the other on the counter till he stopped dead in his tracks, slowly turning around and blinking to ensure he was actually not having some sort of sleep-deprived hallucination]

". . .What the hell are you doing here?"

[peip-wecallitpeep]

[He moved his eyes back to the steering wheel for a second, trying to think of something to say to hopefully lighten the mood. He only acknowledged the others words with a small nod. He knew damn well he'd take care of it.

After a second, he glanced over once more. His eyes caught on the sweet stains of dairy that now littered Wiley's poor pants. He could practically feel the others annoyance coming off of it in waves. So he adjusted once more and went into the center console, retrieving those dollar store packs of tissues.

He prided himself on being prepared for things. and with his husband having butterfingers, he had to always be ready for unexpected spillage. Without a word, he lightly tossed the tissues onto Wiley's lap and closed the center console. Kicking the car back into gear and driving out of the parking lot of the ice cream spot. His own dessert, long forgotten, was slowly turning into an artificially sweetened green soup inside its small cup.

John had decided maybe a conversation wasn't needed, nor wanted, at least for the moment. So he gave it space and stayed quiet. Driving well. . .wherever the road took them. Slowly, the sun sank down almost completely out of the sky. The colorful warm hues of the day slipping into the cold midnight blue the night sky was so known for. Once dark enough, the street lights flickered on, one by one. and a few less cars were clogging the streets, convenient for a distracted driver]

Lingering in the darkness of John’s kitchen, the smell of cigarette smoke and bleach is strong. Wiley lingers in there, lighting the cigarette gifted from last time and bringing it to its lips. It didn’t bother with the light, nor move from the countertop it currently sat on.

— [ @previously-missing-in-action ]

[The time on the clock indicated it was sometime in the evening. John walked into the kitchen, looking disheveled. He couldn't say he's slept well or at all since his last run in with. . .it, putting more focus into work than ever to ignore the buzz in his chest when he thought of that damned kiss. The feeling still lingering on his lips.

His husband had gone on a 5 to 7-day business trip. Which John was more than thankful for. It gave him time to think, to pull himself together so he could continue to be the faithful husband he'd always been. He didn't even notice the other on the counter till he stopped dead in his tracks, slowly turning around and blinking to ensure he was actually not having some sort of sleep-deprived hallucination]

". . .What the hell are you doing here?"

[peip-wecallitpeep]

[He gave a small nod, jotting it down. His expression remained blank. But he still felt some sort of. . .disappointment. In himself mostly. No doubt he was in a good amount of those timelines, yet his efforts in them were in vain. His grip on his pen tightened just a tad.]

"Ah, I see. Well, I can assure you I'll make sure nothing will happen in this one. You'll be safe here."

It was a quiet evening in PEIP Headquarters. General McNamara thought he was the only one left in the facility, but apparently not.

"Woah..." Spoke a voice, young and curious. "This place is huge! So many techy stuff!" The figure whisper-shouted with excitement.

- @the-curious-adventurer

[John was more than ready to get home. See his Husband, watch wheel of fortune maybe. . .but of course that voice cut through that plan. He Tensed. How in God's name did someone get into the headquarters? It wasn't a name he recognized. His hand hovered over his firearm as he went in the direction of the sound, aiming to investigate.]

[peip-wecallitpeep]

[He was close to snapping back, maybe raising his voice when he paused at the mention of Wilbur's mother. His expression faltered, then softened. In all honesty, he completely forgot about the cause of that outburst at the time. All he was focused on was his own anger, and how wrong it's assumption was. His irritation crumbled as he dropped his head with a long sigh. He wished he knew how to stay mad, hell he knew he had a right to stay mad. But no matter how hard he tried he couldn't. Wilbur, Wiley. . .it didn't matter who it was.]

"Oh. . .Jesus, Wil. You know I didn't mean-. . . I would never-"

[He cut himself out with a deep sigh, leaning back against his seat and rubbing his face with his hands. That was. . . a bit uncalled for, he knew that. As much as he was irritated with it, he couldn't help but be understanding. The world seemed too quiet as there was a long stretch of silence. After a bit he spoke again]

"I'm. . . sorry. I didn't mean to. . . bring up that subject. You have every right to feel the way you did, you still do. It's just that. . . you know how important it is to me, you said it yourself. The fact you would think I would ever handle it without care was. . . Well it's a thought that didn't sit well."

[John was quiet for a moment more, taking a breath and sitting back up. Looking the other in the eyes so it was aware his words weren't empty.]

"I would never use something like that to hurt you on purpose. It was a mistake, I'm sorry."

Lingering in the darkness of John’s kitchen, the smell of cigarette smoke and bleach is strong. Wiley lingers in there, lighting the cigarette gifted from last time and bringing it to its lips. It didn’t bother with the light, nor move from the countertop it currently sat on.

— [ @previously-missing-in-action ]

[The time on the clock indicated it was sometime in the evening. John walked into the kitchen, looking disheveled. He couldn't say he's slept well or at all since his last run in with. . .it, putting more focus into work than ever to ignore the buzz in his chest when he thought of that damned kiss. The feeling still lingering on his lips.

His husband had gone on a 5 to 7-day business trip. Which John was more than thankful for. It gave him time to think, to pull himself together so he could continue to be the faithful husband he'd always been. He didn't even notice the other on the counter till he stopped dead in his tracks, slowly turning around and blinking to ensure he was actually not having some sort of sleep-deprived hallucination]

". . .What the hell are you doing here?"

[peip-wecallitpeep]

"I'm aware, we established that. As I said, it's habit."

[He replied after a second, deciding to put his focus on the sky. Silently noting the name down in his head.]

"It's good to put a face to the name then, Coda. I would tell you my name as well but. . . You already know it."

Finished with the weeds, made a new friend, I've named it Brelly.

The Young man who had never properly introduced himself but somehow became John's gardener held up a small clump of dirt with a false parasol mushroom growing from it.

-🗣️ of @youngvoice-and-gameplayer

"Oh? Well it certainly looks like a Brelly."

[He commented idly as he walked on over to get a closer look. Giving a small hum of interest at the mushroom. In his hand was a glass of water, ice bobbing around in it like a boat. He offered it out while still keeping his eyes on the fungi]

"I'd recommend keeping yourself hydrated. Here."

[peip-wecallitpeep]

[He raised an eyebrow at the look he was given, clearing his throat.]

"I know that. It's a term that an older man can use to refer to a younger one that connotes the superior social status of the older person, while not being disrespectful and in fact being kind. I've been called that by my elders in the past, so it stuck."

[He was silent for a moment, putting his hand in his pocket and clicking his tongue.]

"I apologize if you're uncomfortable with that, it's more of a habit saying than anything. I'll refrain from using it with you, if you wish."

Finished with the weeds, made a new friend, I've named it Brelly.

The Young man who had never properly introduced himself but somehow became John's gardener held up a small clump of dirt with a false parasol mushroom growing from it.

-🗣️ of @youngvoice-and-gameplayer

"Oh? Well it certainly looks like a Brelly."

[He commented idly as he walked on over to get a closer look. Giving a small hum of interest at the mushroom. In his hand was a glass of water, ice bobbing around in it like a boat. He offered it out while still keeping his eyes on the fungi]

"I'd recommend keeping yourself hydrated. Here."

[peip-wecallitpeep]

"I could, may try to replace the player sometime soon. Depends on funding. I wouldn't want it to break either."

[He gave a small shrug, putting the CD holder back into the center console when he paused at hearing that last bit. His hand pausing for a second, mid way through closing the center console.]

"I beg your pardon, Someone like me?"

[He couldn't tell you why, but that little statement irked him. Maybe it was because of the value of the item, or his own pride. But the fact that it was like it was trying to imply that he was the careless one, the reckless one of the two of them somehow affected him to no end. He felt his eyebrow twitch as he let out a scoff, not a lighthearted one like he had been making the past hour or. . However long this interaction has been. It sounded somehow more irritable, for a puff of air.]

"Sorry, I don't recall being the one to throw a shelf on the ground earlier out of anger. That was you, wasn't it? As if you, out of everyone, have the right to try to insinuate that I wouldn't take care of it. It's better in my care than yours, and it has been for the last decade."

[He didn't shout, nor bare teeth. But his irritation was still palpable without those factors. Some type of shift in the air, and a certain look in the eyes. His tone was flat, even. Syllables spoken with clear emphasis. The type of tone only a General could be able to master.]

Lingering in the darkness of John’s kitchen, the smell of cigarette smoke and bleach is strong. Wiley lingers in there, lighting the cigarette gifted from last time and bringing it to its lips. It didn’t bother with the light, nor move from the countertop it currently sat on.

— [ @previously-missing-in-action ]

[The time on the clock indicated it was sometime in the evening. John walked into the kitchen, looking disheveled. He couldn't say he's slept well or at all since his last run in with. . .it, putting more focus into work than ever to ignore the buzz in his chest when he thought of that damned kiss. The feeling still lingering on his lips.

His husband had gone on a 5 to 7-day business trip. Which John was more than thankful for. It gave him time to think, to pull himself together so he could continue to be the faithful husband he'd always been. He didn't even notice the other on the counter till he stopped dead in his tracks, slowly turning around and blinking to ensure he was actually not having some sort of sleep-deprived hallucination]

". . .What the hell are you doing here?"

[peip-wecallitpeep]

[He squinted his eyes at the cup, wondering if he was seeing things. Maybe it was just the way the sun hit the water. or maybe he truly was getting old. whatever it was he decided to not hinder on it, instead standing up straighter and looking at his freshly de-weeded lawn. Giving a nod of approval.]

"Good work, Son. It looks spick and span."

Finished with the weeds, made a new friend, I've named it Brelly.

The Young man who had never properly introduced himself but somehow became John's gardener held up a small clump of dirt with a false parasol mushroom growing from it.

-🗣️ of @youngvoice-and-gameplayer

"Oh? Well it certainly looks like a Brelly."

[He commented idly as he walked on over to get a closer look. Giving a small hum of interest at the mushroom. In his hand was a glass of water, ice bobbing around in it like a boat. He offered it out while still keeping his eyes on the fungi]

"I'd recommend keeping yourself hydrated. Here."

[peip-wecallitpeep]

"Well I'd assume it wouldn't be pleasant."

[He stated, not unkindly. He thought about something in silence for a second before flipping the page of his notepad]

"What type of outcomes? End of the world, or destruction of town? something of those sorts"

It was a quiet evening in PEIP Headquarters. General McNamara thought he was the only one left in the facility, but apparently not.

"Woah..." Spoke a voice, young and curious. "This place is huge! So many techy stuff!" The figure whisper-shouted with excitement.

- @the-curious-adventurer

[John was more than ready to get home. See his Husband, watch wheel of fortune maybe. . .but of course that voice cut through that plan. He Tensed. How in God's name did someone get into the headquarters? It wasn't a name he recognized. His hand hovered over his firearm as he went in the direction of the sound, aiming to investigate.]

[peip-wecallitpeep]

[He continued examining the CD, checking for imperfection. The CD seemed fine at least to him. It could have purely been a buffer.

He huffed at the demand he fixed it. Like a toddler demanding their toy to be mended]

"I don't think there's anything wrong with it, frankly. No scratches. Could have just been an issue with the CD player, sometimes it has issues-"

[He said as he pulled up to the second window and was handed two desserts. He used one hand for each. Handing the one with the cone to Wiley and putting the one in the cup holder by his seat.

Giving a small thanks he drove forward. Pulling into a small parking space for a moment to give the CD one more look over before deciding to put it away in its holder. Maybe give them both some peace of mind, for different reasons.]

Lingering in the darkness of John’s kitchen, the smell of cigarette smoke and bleach is strong. Wiley lingers in there, lighting the cigarette gifted from last time and bringing it to its lips. It didn’t bother with the light, nor move from the countertop it currently sat on.

— [ @previously-missing-in-action ]

[The time on the clock indicated it was sometime in the evening. John walked into the kitchen, looking disheveled. He couldn't say he's slept well or at all since his last run in with. . .it, putting more focus into work than ever to ignore the buzz in his chest when he thought of that damned kiss. The feeling still lingering on his lips.

His husband had gone on a 5 to 7-day business trip. Which John was more than thankful for. It gave him time to think, to pull himself together so he could continue to be the faithful husband he'd always been. He didn't even notice the other on the counter till he stopped dead in his tracks, slowly turning around and blinking to ensure he was actually not having some sort of sleep-deprived hallucination]

". . .What the hell are you doing here?"

[peip-wecallitpeep]

[He had pulled up behind the car in front, waiting there for his turn for his order to be given to him. He was absentmindedly counting the bricks on the exterior wall. Something he did often when he wasn't activly doing something with his brain or hands. When his counting was jumbled by the angry sounding accusations made by his passenger.

He couldn't believe what he was hearing, frankly. He? Mishandle an object of such importance as this? It was offensive. He would be offended if he wasn't baffled about how one person can do a 180 based off a small buffer of an instrumental. He glanced over with a slightly agitated, confused look.]

"What? No, I handle it fine like I usually do. It's an old thing, could just be it dying with age. Most things tend to do that."

[He stated calmly, using the time the woman in front was still arguing with a cashier about her coupons to eject the CD and examine it. It didn't seem to have any scratches, from the looks of it. Odd. . .]

Lingering in the darkness of John’s kitchen, the smell of cigarette smoke and bleach is strong. Wiley lingers in there, lighting the cigarette gifted from last time and bringing it to its lips. It didn’t bother with the light, nor move from the countertop it currently sat on.

— [ @previously-missing-in-action ]

[The time on the clock indicated it was sometime in the evening. John walked into the kitchen, looking disheveled. He couldn't say he's slept well or at all since his last run in with. . .it, putting more focus into work than ever to ignore the buzz in his chest when he thought of that damned kiss. The feeling still lingering on his lips.

His husband had gone on a 5 to 7-day business trip. Which John was more than thankful for. It gave him time to think, to pull himself together so he could continue to be the faithful husband he'd always been. He didn't even notice the other on the counter till he stopped dead in his tracks, slowly turning around and blinking to ensure he was actually not having some sort of sleep-deprived hallucination]

". . .What the hell are you doing here?"

[peip-wecallitpeep]

Finished with the weeds, made a new friend, I've named it Brelly.

The Young man who had never properly introduced himself but somehow became John's gardener held up a small clump of dirt with a false parasol mushroom growing from it.

-🗣️ of @youngvoice-and-gameplayer

"Oh? Well it certainly looks like a Brelly."

[He commented idly as he walked on over to get a closer look. Giving a small hum of interest at the mushroom. In his hand was a glass of water, ice bobbing around in it like a boat. He offered it out while still keeping his eyes on the fungi]

"I'd recommend keeping yourself hydrated. Here."