Inbox

[matadorable]

If you're hearing this message, I am probably not here. Or I am furiously pressing every button I can because I forgot how this thing works. One of the two! Either way, I will get back to you...eventually.

Comments

Oct 3, misfire

[bindsthedead]

So if you want to meet up for extra lessons, I won't object. I could use something to get my mind off of everything that's happened lately.

[matadorable]

[Uh.

The government said something about him being a Teacher's Assistant now.

Is this what this is about? Is this one of his students??

HE'S NOT READY FOR THIS.]

Oh...I'm...sorry things are stressful. Do you want to talk about it?

[Nailed it.]

Oct 17, early morning

[medalsome]

[After the incident getting home was first and foremost on Joaquin's mind. He couldn't say he was eager to start that conversation Manolo insisted they have but he figures he could just not say anything and maybe it'll blow over.

Sleep probably would have been the best idea but he wasn't tired. Instead, Joaquin immediately went to his bathroom and took a shower, then he sat on the tile floor wrapped in his robe. For a good two hours. His eyepatch he kept clutches in his hands and he kept looking over at the mirror above the sink, wanting to gaze at his reflection but knowing he would hate what he saw.

Man, this sucks.]

[matadorable]

[They mostly made the trek back home in silence, which suited Manolo just fine. He needed time to sort through his feelings, and he suspected Joaquin could use some time to cool down after such a stressful night.

It doesn't take long for him to figure out Joaquin is putting off the inevitable by staying holed up in his room. And though he considers just letting him sleep it off, Manolo knows they need to clear the air between them as soon as possible. Because it wasn't a matter of if another crisis would erupt, but when. And when that time came, Manolo didn't want to become a hindrance to Joaquin, nor did he want to just cower behind some table like a dog. There had to be some kind of balance here...

Of course, he feels guilty bringing up anything about balance when it was Manolo himself who made the choices that pushed Joaquin into this state. He doesn't regret shoving Joaquin out of the bell's way, he never will, but he's starting to realize how cruel it must have felt to Joaquin and Maria to see him die again so soon after welcoming him back.

In the end, though, he finds himself knocking on Joaquin's door and, when he doesn't get an answer, he quietly lets himself in. Leaning against the wall by the bathroom door, he idly strums a few soft chords to signal his presence without having to say a word.]

Nov. 2, sometime in the evening

[medalsome]

[This holiday had long been associated with bad thoughts for Joaquin. As much as he wanted to honor the spirit of his father it always upset him when he thought of how young he had died, and how young their family had been when it all fell to pieces. But this year was different. Not only because they had only just celebrated the Day of the Dead back home only two months before (time was so weird here) but because technically... if this world was at all tied to theirs, then now everyone they had ever known back home was dead too. And had been for a long, long time.

Sighing, Joaquin stood just outside Manolo's door for a moment before reaching up to knock. Again, as much as it pained him to have to do this, it was part of the grieving process and it could help. It could help him too, perhaps, in letting go. But that would come later. For now, he wanted to be there for Manolo.]

Hey, buddy. Did you want some company for a while?

[matadorable]

[The altar in his room was fairly modest, a white cloth draped over some empty crates he'd found at a local grocery. On top of that was an array of marigold flowers, shots of mezcal, pan de muerto, candles, incense, and a few other treats he'd barely been able to afford. But back home, it wasn't unheard of for a family to spend at least two month's wages when preparing the best for their deceased loved ones. So, for Manolo, it only felt like a small sacrifice.

To be honest, he was fairly certain his family couldn't come see him tonight. But if by some miracle they were allowed to travel between worlds, he wanted to leave them something for their trouble. At the very least, doing otherwise felt disrespectful, especially after how much help and support they'd given him during his quest to return to Maria and save San Angel from Chakal.

Lounging on the bed, he idly picked at his guitar, assuming he'd be on his own tonight. But then a knock came at his door, and Manolo straightened up, face brightening the moment he recognized that voice.]

That'd be great, actually! Please, come in.

video;

[sidecars]

Heya, Manny! Long time, huh?

[ Be afraid, Manolo. Be very afraid. ]

video;

[matadorable]

[Manolo gives a lopsided grin. Normally he avoids the video function, but this is a private conversation, and he likes Bucky.]

Yeah! How have you been?

Dec 2nd morning - Audio;

[rassera]

[After a good night's sleep and--ow--some healing, Kaneda gets out of bed sore as hell. Guess getting into a fight with a psychic and thrown through glass in hindsight was a bad idea. Yeah, good job Kaneda. Genius. 10/10 would do again.

His cuts had closed, but were still painful. And his side had some hell of a bruise from his ultimatum in the junkyard.

So with Manolo's promise looking very appealing, he calls him up.]

Mano..[God dammit how does he say your name.] Manolo.

[Sorry if his accent botched that up.]

Oi, I'm coming over!

Audio;

[matadorable]

[It's okay, Kaneda, he'll just find your accept charming. There's a smile in his voice when he answers.]

Great! When will you be here?

[dormition]

[For Christmas in Heropa 015, Minato leaves a plate of Santa strawberries on the dining table with a note telling everyone to take some. There's also a small pile of presents beside it, all wrapped in iridescent dark blue paper with silver ribbons, and name tags for each of his housemates.

Manolo and Joaquin share a present: a CD of modern Spanish guitar music by Andre Feriante.]

12/25

[khajidont]

[Underneath the tree at Heropa015 is a relatively small, badly wrapped present with Manolo's name on it. Once he rips it open, he'll find a thumb piano inside.

Since Jaime will be present for Christmas, he won't bother writing a note -- instead he'll just lean over and flick his thumb against one of the keys.

"It's a thumb piano, see? He'll say. "I can't exactly afford a real piano, but hey, maybe you'll figure out a thing or two with this little guy."

Later, he will live to regret this purchase, but the morning-of, he'll be pretty happy about it.]

FINALLY GETS AROUND TO THIS... they've been really busy okay!!

[akito]

Thanks for saving us from that building falling down, mister musician.
Sorry it took so long to say something!
I still can't remember anything from those few days so I didn't know what happened for a while...
Hopefully you got my xmas card for you!
And hopefully you had a good holiday and are all better from the fire.

NYE 2015 > 2016

[medalsome]

[It's only a little while until the new year begins and Joaquin wanted to celebrate! Another year with Manolo and hopefully more to follow, considering he wouldn't have anything like that back home when they did return...

but no dreary thoughts tonight! Joaquin was opening that bottle of tequila Newt sent him for Christmas and it was gonna be a good night!]

Ready for some shots, Manolo?

[matadorable]

[That question earns Joaquin a short laugh.]

Well, if you're offering, I'm not gonna say no...

[after Pan plot wraps up...]

[medalsome]

[Joaquin was tired. He felt physically exhausted and his heart ached. To think, children could be corrupted in such a way. That was terrifying. The perpetrator had been stopped (sorta) and Heropa had been set to rights, but the cost was still too great for Joaquin to feel like celebrating, and beyond that...

He didn't know how Manolo was, but he expected he would hear from him soon. When he thought about his friend he felt sad, but there was also burning anger smoldering beneath. How dare he go around and break his promise to stay safe! Even if they didn't sign some contract Joaquin had expected Manolo to have some sense of self-preservation! He was through with it! He needed a smoke.

Joaquin thought about his motorcycle, how it was still stuck back at the municipal center. Probably still illegally parked, too, as their town hadn't had much time to scrounge around before everything became Neverland. He could probably still go pick it up before anyone thought to tow it away. He'd have to leave soon, but for now...

For now, Joaquin walked to the park near their house. It was a place he usually enjoyed being; he took jogs around it every morning and sometimes he practiced his yoga there with Gwendolyn. Right now, though, he just found a bench he could sit and brought out the cigarettes and his lighter. He hadn't needed to mess with them in a while but now he felt like he could go through the whole pack in one sitting.]

[matadorable]

[As soon as the curse was lifted, Manolo stuck around only long enough to make sure no one needed any immediate healing. Then he was off to find Joaquin. He didn't know whether Dr. Gottlieb had contacted his friend or not, but that wasn't all that relevant. In either case, it was clear he needed to find his friend as soon as possible. Manolo wanted to come clean about what he'd done, and to give reassurance that he'd actually been careful during his time in Pan's forest.

When he didn't find him at home, Manolo ignored the unsettled feeling that prickled at the back of his mind. Had he immediately left for De Chima? No, that didn't sound right. The next thought was that Joaquin had somehow gotten hurt, and he moved with more urgency as he stepped back outside and anxiously looked around to check if maybe he was coming this way.

Finally, finally, he did find him, at a little park just a little ways down the street. His large frame, with smoke curling from the cigarette in his mouth, made for a striking sight -- and also a disconcerting one, knowing that these days Joaquin mainly smoked to deal with stress.]

Joaquin! [He slowed down as he approached the bench, unable to fight the concern gnawing at his chest.] You're not injured, are you?

Jan 22

[driftsintobuffetline]

[ Shortly after this and the thread with Hermann. Strikes are deletions.]

Hey. Uh. I'm not
I'm sorry about how much we have to lean on you I have to lean on you and Joaquin at this time--but I was, uh, wondering if we I could call in another favor? Look, there's like a about fifty of us here, I guess, and we're all a little worked up and tired and stressed and I've been, well, don't mention this one to Hermann, but I've been off antidepressants for my entire stay here and it's making me (predictably) kind of cranky and that's fine, I'm coping when I can do the ideas thing? But right now it's just, I don't know.

The point is

Could you just play a song on the network? No explanation required and those who want to can tune in, don't say it's for the imports so if the Russians haven't realized we can do the network bit, they don't realize it there but. Yeah. Some anti-stress music. Maybe. If you have time.

[matadorable]

dr. geiszler!

i am so so relieved
to hear from you directly

please do not apologize
or feel like you have
to explain yourself

its okay
i promise

i always have time
to play music for you
and anyone else
who wants to listen

[Actually, he's not sure if he has any suitable cover songs to play, and the thought of sharing his original music over the network terrifies him a little bit. But...if it's for a friend (and a friend who specifically asked, at that), then Manolo can't say no.]

delivery! (2/14)

[glitterateur]

[On this, the most important romance-related holiday of the year, Manolo receives a card delivered by a flying pig .The pig was probably supposed to look sort of like cupid, as is appropriate for the day, but Mabel made the wings way more bat-like than cherubic. Oops!

There’s a small chocolate heart taped to the back, and a little note: Happy Valentine’s Day! Have the best day EVER!!]

text; same day

[matadorable]

that was
THE BEST
valentine's present
ever

thank you so much mabel
you really made my day!

Feb 19th; voice

[mathemagier]

Newton and I are still out of the country. We've been well lately, but I hear things are not as ideal for those forced into attendance at the Seminar. How are you?

[matadorable]

Dr. Gottlieb! [There's real relief in Manolo's voice.] I am glad you two are safe.

[He hesitates at that question, taking a slow breath as he considers what to say. After a moment, he quietly answers:]

Things here...are not so good, no. It's good you left when you did.

March 1 - text - during convo with Joaquin

[driftsintobuffetline]

I highly recommend removing all sharp objects from wherever you and Joaquin live

text;

[matadorable]

[Well, that isn't ominous or anything.

Manolo's response is hastily typed. He doesn't bother correcting any mistakes he made.]

why

what wronh

audio; March 8

[missleadingquestions]

Hey Manny! How you doin'?

[Hopefully recovered from all that partying by now.]

audio;

[matadorable]

[Manolo's voice is lighter than it has been in a long while.]

Right now? I have never been better! How about you, amiga?

3/31, early morning

[medalsome]

[After tossing and turning all night, Joaquin managed to get a max of four hours of sleep, managing to sleep through his first alarm that usually woke him for his jog. His eyes felt puffy and dry, like they'd been coated with salt overnight and his chest was still congested with dread. He had really, really fucked up this time. And it was different than how things had gone with Manolo, because deep down despite all his worries Joaquin knew Manolo would forgive him. Hermann and Newton, though...

He didn't deserve their forgiveness or even their pity, should it arise from all this. He deserved a punch in the face, but neither of them were likely strong enough to make much a dent. Maybe he could ask Manolo to do it for them instead. Which... actually led to an interesting thought.

Getting up, forgetting his morning routine completely, Joaquin hurried over on bare feet and still in his pjs over to Manolo's door. The musician was likely still asleep but Joaquin was willing to get Manolo all the caffeine he needed if it meant he could actually do something that might help. He knocked on the door steadily but with some urgency.]

Manolo? I need your help with something.

[matadorable]

[There was some muffled shuffling behind the door before Manolo slowly pushed it open. He was still in his T-shirt and boxers, and his tousled hair wasn't tied back. Blearily, he stared at Joaquin, barely stifling a yawn as he responded.]

Joaquin? What is it?

early evening

[medalsome]

[He still wasn't hanging out with them much but that didn't mean Joaquin didn't like to see Maria and Manolo, and he still cared for them. Just... couldn't stand to be around them when he figured they were doing lovey-dovey stuff. So when he did approach Manolo for his opinion, he made sure he knew his friend was alone before giving a knock on his door.]

Hey, Manny, wanna go on a walk?

[matadorable]

[As usual, Manolo is picking at his guitar when he hears Joaquin’s voice. He immediately brightens and is already setting down his precious instrument when he says:]

I would love to. Today’s weather, it’s beautiful.

text

[runningstart]

hey manolo jaime and i agreed that u need to get on this level with ur lack of facial hair:

text

[matadorable]

[...Amazing.]

what a distinguished creature
truly a bird that would make his father proud!
how could i even hope to do such majesty justice?

[mightthinkthat]

Mr Sanchez, I was wondering if I could speak with you.

[matadorable]

Yes, of course. What can I do for you?

June 13, afternoon

[medalsome]

[Having gotten back late into the night, or early in the morning depending on your perspective, Joaquin hadn't been able to see his friend since his departure back on the eighth. Then he slept in through the morning and roused himself around midday, unusual for him but necessary after a long evening of travel.

Joaquin was dreading dealing with his boss later this week, but at least he had the day off to get back into the swing of things. And what better way to start the day then with a visit with his friend! Gathering up the souvenir shirt he had managed to find that he thought really suited Manolo, he made his way to his friends room and knocked. It was possible Manolo was out for the day but if that was the case he'd just give him a call in a few.]

Hey, Manny, you in? I'm back and I got you something!

[matadorable]

[He answers the door, hair on the disheveled side and eyes bleary from a few recent restless nights. Still, Manolo's face brightens when he sees his friend.]

...Joaquin, you're back! [His greeting is punctuated with a small laugh, and he reaches out to pull him into a hug. When he steps back, he lightly pats the other man on the shoulder.] Look at you. You've got quite the tan now, eh?

text;

[hasitsthorns]

So, uh. Hey.

[ Smooth as crunchy peanut butter, this one. ]

You said you had... similar powers to mine, right? Musical ones?
Do y'think maybe I could, like, hear you play sometime? Just like... get a feel of it? See if there's anything I can figure out about my own from you or. Whatever.

text;

[matadorable]

oh! hello
of course i would love
to play for you sometime

you have to hear the
music in person to get the
full effect of it though

is that ok?