this is a [test] of the emergency broadcast system

[titansno]

TEST DRIVE MEME

> The Park. Man, what a nice day out. Why not enjoy it? I'm sure -- shit, yep, there's some echo monsters.
> The Mall. Exactly what it says on the tin! Dodge the hordes of teenage mallrats or take part, whichever suits your tastes.
> Rainy Day. Agh, it's fucking awful out. And is it raining those vermilion things?? Now you've got an Echo to contend with on top of everything else. Find some shelter, quick!
> PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION, HOW FUN
> The most horribly kitschy Arts and Crafts Fair you can imagine.
> Wild Card! Make up your own.

Comments

[detectivetroll]

[Nick comes up behind him, a pair of soft pretzels in one hand and a soda container in the other, and pauses as he looks over the display.]

Well, you'll be easy to shop for when it's Christmas.

[simplewolf]

[Tom shuffles his feet and smiles at Nick.]

Well I didn't mean I want one now. I mean, when I was a kid I did.

[Lies. He totally still wants one now.]

[detectivetroll]

[Nick offers him one of the pretzels with a raised eyebrow.]

Come on, man, don't take away the one easy person I've got on my list.

[He sees right through those lies.]

[simplewolf]

[Food is the way to his heart, Nick. You're the best cousin ever. Tom takes the offered pretzel and grins.]

Thanks.

[And taking a bite bigger than he ever should. Don't mind him, he's just going to keep talking while he chews that.]

M'being serious here, Nick. I'm not into that kid stuff anymore.

[detectivetroll]

[Dude, if Nick gets best cousin ever just for getting Tom a pretzel, he's going to have to feed him more often.]

Says the guy talking with his mouth full.

[Nick's teasing, but no seriously, he's getting him that robot.]

Who says that's kid stuff, anyway? They're just called collectibles when you get older.

[simplewolf]

Wha?

[Oh. Right. Tom actually chews and swallows before he answers, looking a little sheepish as he does.]

I dunno I'm just. I'm growin' up, you know? It just feels like it's something I shouldn't be...

[Tom ends the sentence with a shrug and another bite of the pretzel.]

[detectivetroll]

[Nick bumps his shoulder against Tom's, shoving him lightly.]

You should see the stuff my partner collects, man, robots pale in comparison to that. Then there's Monroe and his model trains...

[simplewolf]

[Reason 543 of why you're the best, Nick.]

Yuji? What's he up to?

[The mention of trains earns a smile.]

I like the trains though.

[detectivetroll]

[He's a big fan of how many reasons for that there are.]

...probably singing karaoke somewhere. I haven't gotten a call or drunk text yet, so he should be fine.

[He grins a little.]

I can't decide if you should never tell Monroe that because it'll only encourage him, or if you should definitely tell Monroe that because it'd encourage him.

[simplewolf]

[Tom laughs at that, loud and pure.]

Never would of considered karaoke for him but now that you say it I can't get the image out of my head.

[Monroe is someone Tom rather likes. More so since he found out about the trains.]

Then I vote we tell him. If it makes him happy then it's worth it, don't you think?

[Have yourself a big goofy grin, Nick.]

[detectivetroll]

[Nick can't help but chuckle slightly, torn between pleased at the laugh and exasperated at Yuji's karaoke.]

Just wait until he drags you along with him. He does it to me at least every couple of months.

[It's hard to hide his affectionate smile when Tom says stuff like that.]

It is worth it. And I'm sure he'll get you to help him set them up.

[simplewolf]

Singing... isn't exactly my thing.

[Karaoke kinda sounds terrifying. Maybe if he was drunk. Really drunk. And even then it's a long shot. The trains however make him smile.]

Now that's more like it. You and Yuji can go to karaoke and me and Monroe can set up the trains.

[detectivetroll]

That won't stop him.

[Although Nick can't lie and say singing isn't his thing, either, considering the guitar he's got back at the apartment. Karaoke definitely isn't his thing, though.]

I'm pretty sure I'm getting the raw end of that deal, man. What if we just let Yuji drink a bunch, give him a Guitar Hero microphone, and tell him he's at karaoke?

[simplewolf]

[Tom grins at the idea.]

Hey, I like that. Then he can sing away while the trains zip around and we can play the guitars.

[This is the thing that must happen. Tom will be doing his best to make it so.]

[detectivetroll]

[Nick tilts his head, considering.]

I'm in if there's eggnog. A lot of eggnog.

[simplewolf]

[Tom puts a hand on Nick's shoulder and positively beams at him.]

My friend, there will absolutely be eggnog. I guarantee it.

[Sure he needs to work out how the hell one makes eggnog, but this is part of his mission now. Eggnog will be a thing.]

[detectivetroll]

[And there's nothing that Nick can do but grin at him after that.

All right, fine, apparently that will be a thing.]

I guess this means I should show you how to make eggnog?