Track 07: Dirty Little Secret

[princeofjunes]

ACTION: THE RECORD STORE - ALL DAY - OPEN - TRUTHFIELD: LEVEL THREE

[It didn't take long for Yosuke to notice something horribly wrong earlier in the week. Rin was acting weird, the entire town was making unbelievable phone calls, and though people weren't dying as far as he knew, the town was messing with everyone again. Uneasy at both the prospect of hearing everyone else's business and revealing his own, Yosuke took a different path and buried himself in his work. The record store was usually slow, and thankfully whatever was affecting the town had yet to hit him full force.

In a lot of ways it was like his first month in Inaba. Next to no one to talk to for one reason or another, and no choice but to bury himself in his music and work. Still, as lonely as his strategy was, it seemed to be working. He'd avoided nearly everyone and everything successfully, and he felt vaguely proud of himself. With any luck, he might be home free soon.

He certainly felt different as he went into work on the weekend. Probably just a side effect of the isolation, right? What could possibly go wrong now? He'd be fine. He was sure of it.]

Comments

[boostedfailure.livejournal.com]

[See some guy digging through the records muttering to himself]

"...damn, loud stuff really is another 30 years away... Wonder if this is as stupid a plan as it seems..."

[princeofjunes]

[Go figure there had to be a customer now, but as much as he didn't want to say a word to the man, Yosuke still had his pride as an employee to maintain. After leaving the man alone for a few minutes, he wandered over]

Hey! I know most of the music sucks, but you need help with anything?

[boostedfailure.livejournal.com]

"Got something really loud but ignorable so I can tune out all the stupid questions people ask about having worked with people that are about a thousand times better at everything than me and getting totally passed over for the spotli.... Ugh, did it again. Something loud."

[princeofjunes]

[Crap. And there it was - whatever trick the town was pulling this week. He meant to stay quiet, he meant to.]

There's not much, but I think there's a few rock songs we can find. They're the ones I usually put on when I try to forget that I flirt with everyone because I'm so lonely!

[And then he stops dead. Shit.]

[boostedfailure.livejournal.com]

"At least you don't work with a bunch of smoking hotties who wear nothing but spandex and you're FAIRLY CERTAIN they may be lesbians and won't let you watch. Right... Rock...."

[princeofjunes]

Well, you got me there. Then again, I doubt I'd even notice hot lesbians in spandex between every self righteous ass in the town's dirty looks.

[What. What. NO. Stop that! He takes a deep breath and calms himself down]

Right, so. It's this Elvis guy. He's pretty good.

[boostedfailure.livejournal.com]

"At least they don't laugh at you when you're tryin to do something to help them. Ok, yeah, sure, maybe I sold out a little with the cereal boxes but.... Right. Elvis, yeah, met the guy once. Fairly certain he's not an alien."

[princeofjunes]

Yeah, they can't ever know I did anything for them. Nobody'd believe me anyway.

[That one's not as bad as the others, so he lets it go]

Wait, you met Elvis? You're joking, right?

[boostedfailure.livejournal.com]

"Yeah.. Story of my life too."

"Yeah, met Elvis, and a buncha other guys. You meet a lot of weird folk when you're patrolling the time lines. You really don't want that job..."

[Facepalm]

"Right... Look... Uh, can we not mention that last part, this town is making it hard to do anything under cover."

[princeofjunes]

I'm pretty sure we should just go ahead and not mention this whole conversation to anyone.

This town makes it hard to do anything. Except look at girls in bikinis you can never get. That part was easy.

[boostedfailure.livejournal.com]

"Ah, you never know until you try with the girls part at least. And after the first hundred or so slappings you learn to bounce back with style."

[princeofjunes]

Did you honestly keep count of how many times you've been slapped?

[boostedfailure.livejournal.com]

"No, but I hit on a LOT of girls in college."

[lunawolves10th.livejournal.com]

[ Have a giant in full power armor looking around the store with his helmet off, looking confused ]

Hmm... I wonder what I should get...

[princeofjunes]

[Well! That's... new! Yep, certainly new! He can't help but be intimidated for a moment, but if the guy's in a music store he can't be bad, right? Flawless logic. So, with a deep breath and a big smile, he wanders over]

Need help with something today?

[lunawolves10th.livejournal.com]

Yes... I would like music of some sort. I find it intriguing.

[ HIs voice is so powerful it probably rattles Yosuke's chest a bit. ]

[princeofjunes]

[Damn, that's an awesome voice. He half wonders if the guy does commercials or voice overs or something that puts it to use]

Have anything in mind? Or just something to take your mind off life?

[lunawolves10th.livejournal.com]

I will simply depend on your recommendation, in this case.

[ He smiles, his craggy face looking a bit gentle, for a moment. ]

[princeofjunes]

[Well, he's at a loss. What can he even recommend to a guy like that, when he knows nothing about him?]

Alright, let's start with a few questions. Fast tempo? Slow tempo? Something to get a girl in the mood? I mean, not that I'd know anything about that - the only one who will even give me the time of day I keep blowing off.

[He cringes and takes a second to compose himself, really hoping the rest of the day is quieter]

Right, so... tempo?

[lunawolves10th.livejournal.com]

Which girl is that? This question is far more intriguing than music, for the moment. I find mortal relationships intriguing, since I do not have them. They are forbidden to Astartes such as myself.

[princeofjunes]

An Astarte? I've never heard of those before.

Oh, but I'm talking about Ruri! She actually seems like she likes me, but even though I totally like her too I keep ignoring her because I can't get this other girl out of my head.

... [He groans]

I'm usually not this open about it.

[lunawolves10th.livejournal.com]

Ruri.... you.... like little Ruri.

[ Is Garviel about to kill Yosuke? ]

I see. You should act honorably towards her. She has suffered much at the hands of the foes of her family, and she still feels the need for vengeance. If you wish to reach her heart, you must be prepared to help her carry the weight of grief.

[ Garviel is indeed the daddest space marine. ]

[princeofjunes]

[Please don't kill Yosuke, scary large man in armor]

Oh, I've been honest with her! I'm not going to be dishonest or lead her on or some crap. And she still flirts with me! It's crazy!

... honestly I think she deserves someone better than me. Someone who can just give her what she needs without any of my wishy washy crap.

[He will be mortified about this later, but for the moment - even if what he's saying isn't voluntary - it's a bit of a relief to get it all out]

[lunawolves10th.livejournal.com]

I wish I knew what to say. Astartes do not have such relationships with anyone, we are only allowed the bonds of brotherhood. As such, I cannot advise you.

I can say this though: Nobody deserves anything, or rather, nobody receives what they reserve. If you are comfortable reaching out to her, you should do so, with bravery and honor.

[princeofjunes]

So... you're an Astarte, and whatever those are, you're not allowed to have relationships past being like a brother to someone?

You've never had feelings for a girl?

Ever?