[network - late night 114 ] @JPHawkins, video; A KEY DEVELOPMENT [open]

[rattlingthestars]

[ Jim, in the first segment of the video, appears to be leaning against a mostly empty jewelry case. He's calm, though his eyes occasionally track something across the room rather than the tablet he's speaking into. ]

Hey, Norfinbury. Think we found something that might be important, and we need your help. See, a few days ago we went digging in the storehouse near the bookshop - didn't find anything interesting in the papers, but what we did get ahold of this.

[ He spins the tablet around and Zell is elaborately presenting an old-fashioned brass key. Ooh, ahh. ] We tried it at the creepy toy shop and the bookshop before we finally found the door it opened at the cobbler's.

[ This is where the video switches over to something from earlier in the day. It's filmed from chest height, apparently one handed as the other hand holds a hockey stick that prods at what appears to be a spring-loaded trap over the door to a small room. Whatever kind of trap was sprung is gone, though there's a deep gouge in the doorframe where it landed, and a trail of fresh blood briefly visible when the camera pans around to show the rest of the small room.

It's stuffed with old furniture that looks like it was all pushed out of the way when the door opened, and Zell is walking around it, cautiously poking around with the second hockey stick. The video ends there. ]

Might be a boldhole from someone in the last cycle of people. There were empty food bags and stuff. We found a backpack like ours with -

[ Zell, again, presenting a second key! This one is silver so it's probably protecting better loot. ]

Ta-da. Another key. We tried that one at the jeweler's, but no luck. We're going to try the bookshop and toy shop again, but if anybody knows of any other locks that look like they might match let us - me or Zell or Kain or Zack - know. Keep an eye out for treasure chests or lockers or anything like that, too.

--

[ Text, tacked on some time later and locked from @zd: ]

-And this is unrelated, but if you already gave someone here a pretty cool gift and need to give them a better one for some reason, what would you give them?

[ ooc: answers will come from Jim! Possible threadjackings from Zell, Kunsel, and Zack whenever he stops barfing. ]

Comments

[rattlingthestars]

Anything you give me.

[ Even if it's poptarts, Zell. Even if it's poptarts. Rather than make any move toward food, though, he's just resting his forehead against Zell's. ]

We did good today, right?

[swatsflies]

Anything, huh?

[His gaze drops for a moment as he ponders on something. Moving his hands to Jim's shoulders to give them a squeeze.]

Yeah, we did good. [Brushing his fingers against the back of his boyfriend's neck as he gives him a quick kiss on his cheek.] He's going to be okay. We'll make sure of it.

[rattlingthestars]

Uh-huh.

Jim doesn't quite know what Zell's getting at with that, but as usual he's willing to go along until he figures it out. He makes a quiet noise of agreement. ]

I know. [ They'll take care of each other the way they always do. ] Next time... we'll just be more careful.

[swatsflies]

[Not that.

He does give him a quick peck on the cheek. Still not ready to move away yet.]

We'll check everything. Maybe even throw something in the room first to be sure. [They know mostly what to expect.

Moving his hands from Jim's pocket's to the top of Jim's hands. Snagging them and walking backwards towards their bags. He really doesn't want to stop the contact.]

[rattlingthestars]

[ Walking backwards while talking about being careful doesn't quite match up, but Jim's too busy being charmed to notice. He lets Zell keep his hands and walks carefully in front of him. ] Use the sticks to our advantage, maybe, and go in low to the ground.

[ He sounds thoughtful, but then he's distracted by whatever Zell managed to grab at the store. ]

[swatsflies]

[He can navigate backwards as long as Mochi isn't there being a cat. Pulling him along until they reach the bag. Oh, now they have to let go. Looking back and forth from Jim and then the bag before he leans close. There's that look he absolutely adores. Leaning close to give Jim an eskimo kiss as he gives his hands a squeeze.] Definitely. We still have a leash, too.

[In case they need rope for anything. Finally relinquishing his hold on Jim to reach into his bag to pull out something pretty strange. He did say anything, right?] How's about this?

[He doesn't know what it even is. Poking Jim in the side with it protrusions as he grins. Then he pulls out berries to offer up.] Here.

[rattlingthestars]

[ Jim's nose wrinkles and he grins at the distraction of the eskimo kiss. The fruit doesn't seem to distress him much, though it is a little funny looking; he catches it as Zell pokes him and snaps off one of the tendrils, putting it in his mouth. ]

-Citrus. Really good, you should try this thing. [ Jim offers the rest of his piece directly to Zell's mouth as he grabs for the berries with his other hand. ]

[swatsflies]

[Taking a bite of the octopus looking fruit, and then moving in to kiss Jim with it still in his mouth. Does Jim want another taste?]

Hmm. Yeah, it's pretty good. [It's a lot better than it looks. With Jim's hands being occupied, he's just going to place his hands on Jim's hips to pull him close again.]

[rattlingthestars]

[ Jim is more than okay with that, and with being distracted in general, because Zell is really good at it. ]