We're gonna do what we do best.

[dadcepticon]

Who: Krok and YOU! Yes, you! Seriously anybody is welcome. Come bug Captain Mopey!
Where: Shopping district!
When: Slight backdate to 10 February, mid-morning/noonish.
Summary: Krok needs something to fill up the much too quiet apartment he's too reluctant to abandon. Time to look for music and movies!
Warnings: Nnnnothing really?


Life has been very quiet in recent weeks. None of the chatter or mayhem that Krok simply took for granted. No being woken at all hours by Misfire with something to tell him, no conversations with Fulcrum, no laughter or jokes or arguments. Just silence and an oppressive sense of melancholy as he looks at empty bedrooms.

He hates it.

He doesn't want to give up the apartment if he can help it; what if they come back? They might, he thinks. It's a possibility, at least. Even if a very distant one. Enough of a chance that he can't ignore it, certainly – but he can't take the emptiness of it any more. It's maddening. He's upset over the absences; Spinister is upset and it's impossible to console the big helicopter when Krok himself can't seem to shake off the unhappiness. Something has to change, he decides, even if it isn't their quarters. So, steeling himself against the likelihood of too much good cheer from potentially all quarters – he needs to not wallow, yes, but there's only so much effervescence and warmth Krok can manage right now – the weary scavenger captain takes himself to the shopping district on a mission.

There must be some sort of recordings he can buy. Anything, he thinks, just to have the noise. Just to fill in the gaps where there should be friendly voices. Vids, music, he doesn't care what it is so long as it makes sounds. He squints at the signs and displays around him and peers into the shops as he slows his stride, debating where to even start. Krok's had so little use for this entire end of the city that he finds himself at something of a loss for direction, staring at the options available and all but broadcasting his usual exasperation every which way as he pauses in the middle of the concourse.

"I must be going out of my mind," he mumbles to himself while looking right to left and back again. There's a place a little further along that seems to sell electronic devices, he guesses by their window displays. It's as good a place to start as any.

Comments

[dadcepticon]

"I never listened to Acidstop's stuff," Krok murmurs, biting back another sigh. There's a long pause as he tries to sort out how to continue without snapping. Spinister's done nothing to deserve it; it's Krok who's on edge.

Finally, Krok turns just enough to look at Spinister. His expression is too tired for a real smile, but he tries.

"We can look for something like it, though," he says very gently. "I can't stand the quiet any more." It's quiet in the apartments. Spinister is always quiet. Krok is quiet. He can't take it.

[triggerhappycopter]

Quietly, Spinister peers at Krok as he neatly folds up the newspaper and- stops himself in the middle of moving to chuck it over his shoulder. Right, littering was a thing here.

"If you're just playing for the background noise, we ought to go for something more mellow, I think," the heli says after a moment, tucking the piece of paper under his arm before reaching out to place a light hand on Krok's shoulder. "Dancey stuff's only good for a little while. Too energetic."

[dadcepticon]

Without thinking about it, Krok leans into Spinister's hand. More than staving off the vague sense of illness brought on by too little touch, he craves the comfort and familiarity of his friend's presence. Misfire was always more handsy than the copter, and Fulcrum was enough like Krok that a casual hand on the arm was normal, but Spinister had always been sparing with anything of the sort outside medical situations. So this, even now, even given past events… it's nice.

"I suppose you're right," Krok murmurs. "But I'm not picky. I suppose that's a bad trait to have when you're planning to shop."

[triggerhappycopter]

Spin had done the occasional 'using another Scavenger as an arm rest' thing, but as far as touchiness goes, he was definitely the most reserved. That and most mechs kind of didn't want to surprise the most trigger happy team member, it was kind of a mutual no-touch-unless-needed dealio.

And before Saeng Seong, that was okay.

Unfortunately, now that he found himself needing and actually wanting more physical contact, Spinister found it... difficult to ask for. Worst now that his options have narrowed down significantly with so many people suddenly disappearing.

Krok's leaning into his touch makes his spark skip with simultaneous happiness and anxiety. He's not sure if anything more than that would be welcome though and he doesn't push it, opting to lean over and look around Krok's shoulder winglets.

"We should go listen to some stuff before buying it," he says. "Maybe that'll help."