expiationlogs | Hey who the hell is this guy? (Open & Closed)

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Hey who the hell is this guy? (Open & Closed)

Who: A man who isn't going by "Gogol" right now
Where: Aldrip (now with better accuracy!) The Inn, an abandoned house at the edges of town, at a diner.
What: The assorted shenanigans related to a certain local murder clown who has faked his own perma-death to assume a different identity. There will be various toplevels in the comments. This is "closed-ish" because it's not 100% closed but there's a lot of ooc plotting and scheming going on so please come join in on the plotting scheming instead of blitzing in with a "hey you guys that's obviously Gogol" when other people are investigating.

Getting short-lived CR with the nice, helpful, and well-mannered salaryman is 100% open though because frankly that's funny.

Edit: now including a top level for his sentencing failure.

Warnings: Kidnapping, nsfw dialogue, law advice for the dubious, torture (includes finger trauma).

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[ Since the procurement of the most sensible tie is an essential part to how employable he might be he labors to find the the perfect one with a muted but visible zeal. As such the man is in a bit of a trance and doesn't notice that there's someone talking to him specifically. Nikolai isn't home right now! In a number of ways. ]

Ah! I— me? Are you talking to me? This is...

[ Brow pinching incredulously and hand now hover-handing over the arm slung over his shoulders he forgets to finish his sentence altogether. His mouth opens, then closes, then opens again. "This is— uh, sexual harassment." was the end of the thought, but his heart sinks at the thought of being so rude and- God forbid- causing a scene right off the bat.

The boring tie gets pulled up against his chest as a shield against the man who apparently wants to expose it. ]

But that won't pass the dress code. What's wrong with this tie? I think— uh, it's perfectly fine, I think. It's up to snuff.

[ sha-ming blinks.

this was— too organic… too natural to be an act. for a moment, sha-ming wonders if nikolai has a doppelgänger roaming free and wild amidst the city. his intuition isn’t high enough to clock a falsehood as a falsehood; he’d fallen prey to him once for a reason.

but there’s a part of him that can’t help but take pity. this city was capable of anything — had it defanged him so tremendously at long last? sha-ming’s lips furl up into a razor sharp smile, teeth poking out. his fingers trace down the tie, brushing up against the man’s, threading the fabric through his hand. ]

Who cares about a dress code? You’re really gonna let someone hold ya down like that? [ he meets his gaze, eyes bright below the fluorescent light of the store. ] You tryin’ to please someone? Your scary big boss, maybe? Why’s it matter? Just do what you want. Life’s so short, you know… someone could kill ya for any reason. Just wrap their fingers around your throat and pop yer head like a balloon…

[ and he promptly pokes his throat. ]

Lemme dress you. It’ll be fun! Just trust me, ok?

Ah! Yes— well, no, but—

[ He starts, squinting down at the fingers skirting along the tie, all but sputtering when the article of clothing is grabbed like a leash. Preemptively a hand is pressed against Sha-Ming's chest in protest but he doesn't apply enough pressure to push him away at all.

Widened pupils, quickening breath. It seems he can't decide if he wants to maintain eye contact with this man when his eyes keep flittering between searching for someone to ask for help and getting caught up in that brilliant gaze.

Life sure comes at you fast, he thinks. This guy is coming at him even faster. He goes cross-eyed in an attempt to watch it happen when Sha-Ming pokes him in the throat. Predictably, he jumps as the touch lands. All this talk about heads popping and hands choking — is he being threatened right now? Flirted with? What is this and why is it happening to him of all people? ]

It's, uh, a little difficult to trust you after all of that. I have to ask— are you going to hurt me? [ Already assuming the worst: ] If I... let you pick out a outfit will you spare me?

[ Through gritted teeth a near frantic whisper comes out in a beseeching tone. A little too quick to acquiesce to someone with a stronger personality some might say. Yet it's also true that it's also harder for him to get abducted if he doesn't leave the area he was last seen in. ]

[ wow. that's a real fear response, alright! it's strange-- to see this kind of panic etched onto nikolai's features, that face of his earnestly wrenched with anxiety. sha-ming's palm rubs into the notch of "nikolai"'s shoulder before puncuating the motion with a soothing pat. ]

Nah. Honestly...I don't like hurting people. You feel? [ a smile, now softer at its edges. there's a prick of honesty there, swimming in his eyes, but that doesn't make what he says any more comforting. ] You shouldn't give in to others so easily. I mean, you're pretty built, aren'tcha? Got muscles for days. You could just swing that fist of yours and knock me out easy. Why don't you stand up for yourself? We gotta work on that, yeesh.

[ and then he's looping his arm around him, without a care in the world, very much settling into his space. sorry tails if this looks gay to the viewers. ]

Let's get you a better outfit. A little outing between the two of us. It could even be a date if you want...? [ a cant of the head. people are staring now, quite blatantly. ] Anyways, pick something cooler -- something you've always wanted to wear but felt like ya couldn't pull off! Let's get that confidence simmering!

[ whatever this city's done with him... is curious, really. there's a part of him-- that wonders if the mind of the former nikolai is still present-- if it's still intact. more ashamedly, worry ebbs at his consciousness... no time to think about that, though. now it was him and his new friend. ]

Edited 2024-05-21 02:44 (UTC)

Even if that's the case- I should try to reason with you before ever thinking about hitting you. [ That's a crumbled gold star effort at asserting himself! But the follow up is a bit more quiet and meek: ] I think there's a middle ground there.

[ Get a back bone and stop doing what other people say? Words from a stranger that strike through him pretty effectively... This stranger who he's not sure is kind or helpful but he knows is overfamiliar.

Skeptical as he may be he proceeds to do exactly as he's been told if only to get the stares from even more strangers off of him. It's causing a scene after all! The back of his neck flushes red in mortification for being at the center of it. The word date falls on ears made temporarily deaf by embarrassment.

Nikolai as he should exist would've jumped to the challenge with aplomb; swiftly picking out fashionable pieces to create something uniquely him.

This guy looks like he wants to say something as he looks around, but also doesn't want to be a burden by saying it. The tension has his glasses fogging along the edges as he gets hot under the collar, there are still a few people staring, for some reason he subconsciously places a hand over the arm wrapped around him and gives a gentle tug on the sleeve.

Eventually the words manage to eke out. Unfortunately it's when he picks up a barely off-white dress shirt and holds it up. Looking for approval... he's looking down at Sha-Ming's shirt for comparison- but maybe the focus is on his chest area? ]

...I don't know where to start.

[ what a kind, courteous man. sha-ming casts a wary stare in his direction, like he's not quite sure if he buys what he's saying--no, this couldn't have been an act... nikolai had no motive to be prolonging this, and with such pathetic fervor at that. ]

Huh. [ is all he huffs out at first. ] Yeah, I guess, but what if I really was dangerous? You should be puttin' your safety first. Let people walk all over like this and it'll get you in some real shit, you know?

[ a slow nod of the head, voice low and level as he speaks. ]

Have some pride, man. Yer never gonna get what you want by being a total doormat. [ ah, he watches the way the back of his neck flushes. there was no doubt about it -- this...was not nikolai. gaudy, flamboyant, audacious nikolai, who hadn't an inch of shame to spare. what was he to do with this man?

fingers pluck at his own. sha-ming hums softly, and finally loosens his grip on the man before him, not separating himself entirely from his space but giving him a centimeter to breathe. and then he catches those eyes flitting and ah-- there's a horrible, shiteating grin on his face. ]

It's a nice shirt, yeah. You should wear it -- but maybe unbutton it a little? You've got good pecs...instead of lookin' at mine, you should try showin' off your own?

[ oh, he's so giddy right now. positively enthused. ]

With a bod like that, there's no point in being shy, yanno? Personally... [ he leans in juuuust a bit. ] I'd love to see more of it.

[ can somebody get the police ]

[ A mere inch of personal space is granted and there's an audible sigh of relief as it's given. It's short lived because practically in the same moment he's being called a doormat to his face. Then in the next next moment it's about his... body.

To say the least: by that point he's not anticipating the call out. In his haste he very nearly knocks his own glasses off as he goes to adjust them. Must be a nervous tick. ]

Sorry --! I wasn't...

[ The protest sounds weak to his own ears. What a degenerate thing to be caught doing!!! That could easily go straight to HR in an office setting. As Sha-Ming leans back into his space he leans back and away juuuust a lot. ]

I don't even know how you could know something like that in the first place. [ HIS PECS. ] Do you--... well, you can't possibly talk to people this way normally.

[ There's a hint of bitterness, as if the assumption that it's being done to mock him has been made. Without giving any indication that he'll take any of the suggestion to heart he practically stumbles away to pick at piles of clothing.

If his heckler decides to follow him... Then guess that's that. Pointedly he's not looking at him directly anymore as he starts to pile random articles of clothing in his arms.

That small mutter-like voice returns again. Like it's full of uncertainty. ]

...Could you do me a favor? If you're hanging around anyways, I mean.

[ sha-ming’s lips furl up at that — there’s a slow cant of the head, eyes alight with amusement. ]

Don’t worry. [ … ] I don’t mind if you look.

[ and then the poor salaryman speaks with an undercurrent of resentment, voice a tad severe. sha-ming’s expression does not fade. ]

Mmm… you’re right. I don’t talk this way to everyone… ‘specially men. You must be special? Maybe I’m just really into you…

[ his gaze is cutting, like he’s hoping to peer right into nikolai’s soul. sadly… he isn’t here right now!

but sure, he’ll follow — not so overtly, but he does trail behind him, footsteps quiet and evasive. he watches as this poor man shovels a seemingly random assortment of clothing into his own arms — and then he musters the courage to speak at long last, and sha-ming has to wonder if nikolai is going to bounce back to his old self, whip around and give him one hell of a jumpscare— ]

Sure thing, Mister. What would ya like?

[ The glasses don't need readjusting for another additional time, and yet his hand flies up to adjust them again.

"You must be special?"
In his long and, unbeknownst to the Salary Man himself, entirely fictionalized life— he hasn't known anyone who has referred to him as special. Nothing about that existence even remotely resembles it because it is wholly mundane in nature. It makes sense for it not to be: there is nothing grand nor extraordinary about a secretary's life work otherwise his work efforts would've taken him somewhere noteworthy by now. He is no important man.

Being told otherwise with such audacity, even if it may be a lie, makes his intention to direct this stranger's attention elsewhere so he can sneak away shrink inward. In that moment he is the very image of someone who is experiencing cold feet. Finding himself in this situation where he is to back out of deceiving this man imbues him with fear; to avoid causing suspicious or offence he has to think of something else to ask of him on the spot.

He loosens his tie. There is a perfunctory clearing of his throat as he glances down at the bundle of clothing clutched in his arms and he finds his brief salvation from the situation of his own making. ]

...Could you hold these? Only while I check for an open changing room.

[ the silence that permeates from him lasts two beats longer than it should, and sha-ming’s seemingly dull eyes trace the outline of his face, the crevices and cracks of his features. he wonders what nikolai’s thought of in this exact moment— what’s stalling him in this fraction of a second.

sha-ming looks down at the clothing. then back up, the edges of his mouth curled upwards, a lazy and knowing little grin. ]

Sure thing. You’ll break my heart if you ditch me though, yanno? I could always help you change. Give you a second opinion?

[ the predator is prey. is that what this was? sha-ming steps closer. ]

In another life, [ a beat. ] you’re a cold blooded killer… with a tender heart. You’re always puttin’ on a show, full of flair and theatrics, willing to hurt people for any reason. You’re an apex predator.

But even in that life… you’re really damn lonely, you know? I can see it in your eyes. ‘Course I can… I’m the loneliest loser there is.

[ and there comes a flash of white, roguish and unashamed. ]

You’re the total opposite now… but some things never change, do they?

[ a low hum. ]

Are you miserable, Mr. Salaryman?

Edited 2024-05-28 23:51 (UTC)

[ There's very little time afforded for him to fluster at the obvious pass or to feel a deepening guilt over the game plan he didn't even commit to--only thought about. A previously slack jawed mouth straightens into a slight frown. ]

You say a lot of strange things. But this time I think I understand. Are you trying to imply that I've got some sort of alternate personality? [ What? Like jekyll and hyde? The Salaryman huffs softly under his breath. ] ...I'm sorry sir— but I've got to point out that kind of thing only happens that way in fiction. So you— you can't actually be serious.

[ His shoulders droop. What does it say about him when he hasn't excuse himself yet? Probably that he doesn't actually want to be left alone again even if the company is strange and off-putting. Every second of time that ticks by registers on his conscience. Who doesn't feel a little bit lonely in their adulthood, he reasons with himself. Focusing on that peculiarity affords him the chance to dodge the more hard hitting question. The one regarding his apparent misery. ]

I-, I mean... If you are— then I think you really might have the wrong person. There's no way I can be any of the things you say I am.

You really think so?

[ sha-ming rocks back onto his heels, head canted and inclined forward with no respect for this man's boundaries -- despite everything, despite how evidently uncomfortable he is, he doesn't protest. isn't that completely and utterly pathetic? so contrary to the nikolai he knew. somehow, it picks at his heart, but he would sooner keel over than admit as much. ]

Fiction? Pretty sure that happens all the time, pal. The human consciousness is a really fragile thing.

[ a thumb sweeps against the lapel of the salaryman's suit, letting the fabric pass between the pads of his fingers. ]

The guy I'm talkin' about... do you wish you were him?

[ his smile makes a comeback, manifesting against the contours of his face, benign in spite of the context. ]

Maybe he wishes he was like you. People like you 'ave practically given up on standing out -- you play the cards you're dealt, think that being a good boy'll get you where you want to be... but that's just not how it works. It's a dog eat dog world, you know? Give anyone the power to crush you and they'll take it.

Mr. Salaryman. Do you wanna be happy?

[ Again, it's like this guy is insulting his character for being a lawful and contributing member of society. It's a struggle to maintain a polite facade when all his face wants to do is crumble in a way that shows that he's beginning to actually take some offense here. Every little part of his stiff body language screams of discomfort- to the point that it must be felt physically. At the very least that question is a little easier to stomach answering since it's worded in a more palatable way than the first was. Perhaps that's why he humors it with a response this time. ]

...Of course. Don't most people want to live a happy and fulfilling life?

[ There's a perceptible bafflement in the words, as if it's strange to think about life otherwise. Happiness: he's said so before but— Nikolai would answer this question differently. He would say that he would condemn it again if it meant he got to prove his point about humanity. ]

I don't know him. So I can't say that I do. Uh, especially not because it sounds like you're describing a dangerous criminal? [ The Salaryman then mutters and looks down at the fingers gliding along his lapel. ] Hey, uh, could you please stop that...? You might crease the fabric.

[ the answer makes him laugh — it’s a low sound, reverberating in his breastbone, warmth lapping at its edges. it’s such a human answer, he can’t really begrudge him for it. ]

Yeah, true enough. I think the universe makes it pretty damn hard though. Don’t you think?

[ then there’s a demand, and sha-ming’s mouth thins out into a bored slat. his fingers part from the suit — he can be a good boy too. ]

Look at ya, giving orders. You’ll be a pro in no time.

[ he’s amused, really, but he isn’t as kind as to give the salaryman a breadth of space either. he’s not quite out of his conversation yet. ]

Do you think not being noticed’ll save you, Mr. Salaryman?

[ there’s a lilt in his voice, like he’s align with the curiosity of a teenage boy, ambling around you, kicking at your ankles. ]

Let’s say there’s a murderer on the loose. And you just watched him kill all your friends. So you hide in the bushes. You can’t come out or else he might do something to you too. So you sit there, useless as all hell, a total coward, watching. You could spend the rest of yer life in that bush, yanno? Just hiding. It’s how you stayed safe then, it’s how you’ll stay safe now.

So the less you stick out, the better. Guys like you are the safest there are.

[ a smile, overjoyed and frigid with condescension. ]

But for some reason, I feel like… you don’t really like that? Like there’s this part of you that really wants someone to notice you.

That why you’re getting all dressed up today? Do you want someone’s eyes to get all big… to say hey— I just can’t get him out of my mind?

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Hey who the hell is this guy? (Open & Closed)

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too true honestly

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