engrams | [ Noctium ic inbox ]

[ Weeks have passed since they'd occupied the inside of a jail cell, and V hasn't stopped thinking about the fact that the gig was a failure. The way his frame of mind is right now, it'd be easy to get caught up beating himself over the head with that fact, but instead of giving in to it, he chooses pragmatism.

Whenever Johnny's next rattling around in their shared townhouse, he'll find a guitar propped up against a wall of his bedroom with a note attached. ]

looked preem and reminded me of you

[ V doesn't sign off the note, but if Johnny turns the guitar over, etched into the back in small letters are a familiarly shaped 'J.S.'. Enjoy your new axe, Johnny. ]

[The axe screamed in bright, waxed red the moment he entered the room, and Johnny was well and truly confused for a moment — thinking about where it might have come from, what did he do, exactly, that he doesn’t remember doing.

That’s all wiped away the moment he picks up the thing—real preem, real pretty, probably sings real nice, too—and spots the note and the engraving on the back. Surprise and gratitude twist in his chest immediately after, and he only puts the guitar down by its neck long enough to fish out his device and send a certain merc a message.]

Hey V, [It starts, and though most people would at least begin with a thanks, Johnny finds it difficult to be that earnest right off the bat, and so—] how many people did you have to fuck to afford this thing?

[classic silverhand]

[ Classy, Silverhand. ]

How'd you know I'm not just holding hands with people?

[ Except he's pretty sure the soundproofing in the house isn't exactly up to scratch and he likes a good time, so... ]

You like it?

[Holding hands? Don’t make him laugh.]

Because I’m not stupid. Or deaf.

[Also, they shared a brain. He knows what V’s like.]

Yeah, I like it. It’s pretty. Comes with my initials and a cheesy pick-up line.

[He means the note.]

Almost too pretty. Can’t even set it on fire and smash it on-stage.

My pick-up lines aren't fuckin cheesy

[ Which isn't really confirmation either way as to whether it was, even if he already knows Johnny's joking. He's been thinking about this a lot, okay? ]

It's your axe so you do whatever ya want with it. Might cry if you don't play somethin on it first though

Whatever you say, Casanova.

[He is 100 percent joking, yes. The downside to no longer being in V’s head: not knowing every facet of what’s churning in his grey matter anymore.]

Ker’s music showcase is real soon. You can watch it squeal on the stage in real time. We’ll see how I feel about keeping it in one piece afterwards.

[He won’t smash it and he knows it. Not a gift from V, something that he had to pool together enough scratch to buy for his sake.]

Ker told you where he put you on the setlist yet?

Gonna be weird actually watching you that way around.

You're not gonna be a diva are ya?

Nope. Where?

And what do you mean, be a diva? Not gonna fire any iron into the air, if that’s your concern. Have a little faith, V.

Just gonna make a lot of noise.

You sure you want that spoiler?

Just trying to figure exactly how big the mess I gotta clean up is gonna be. Or how many new fans I'm gonna have to drag off you

Used to you being in my head. How much louder can it get than that?

The way you’re drumming it up as something important, I think I want to know right now, yeah.

A little of the former, a lot of the latter. Hopefully a lot of the latter that’s easy on the eyes, too. And there’s a difference between me being a voice in your head, versus blasting out of an overclocked sound system. You’ll feel every beat rattle in your skull.

[It’ll be great.]

Nah you should ask Ker, don't wanna take away his fun

Difference is I can mute the sound system. But sure, right... cuz who wouldn't be falling at your feet. I'll just let em all on through for a piece of your ass

Uh-huh. Doesn’t exactly bode well. I’ll remember you being tight-lipped about this later.

You’re not gonna be able to mute it when you’re working security in the crowd. And yeah, who wouldn’t wanna swoon over a Silverhand solo act? Glad you get it.

Besides, piece of ass = disposable income. Which means I don’t have to rely on *your* ass to buy me essentials like a shiny red axe. Win-win.

Doesn't bode well? Have a little faith, Johnny :-)

Must be all that Silverhand modesty. Had no idea you were lookin for people to swoon though. Gonna be like one of those idols Us Cracks style?

Like to think I offer a more generous package than just my ass

🖕

What Kerry’s putting together isn’t really my scene. All flash and collaboration for the sake of getting the Gembonded’s names out there, gonna be all showy. [Johnny’s a more gritty hole-in-the-wall, shady gigs sort of guy. At least when he’s starting out.] I’ll take advantage of the swooning while I can. The rest of the places I’m eying to play at? I’m lucky if I don’t get shot glasses thrown at me.

A more generous package. Like what, your stunning personality?

[(V’s personality is, in fact, more palpable than Johnny’s tenfold.)]

Could be worse... could be live rounds

Am I gonna get an invite to watch people play target practise?

Uh, no I was talking about the rest of my anatomy but now ya mention it yeah my stunning personality too

As long as you don’t join them. Don’t mind if you stick a few in a chokehold, though.

Sure. Thought about making a joke about your “generous package” but that’s low-hanging fruit, even for me.

Huscle. Got it

Joke all you want, never had any complaints. Think I'll take reviews from the people who actually got it and not backseat drivers

Backseat driver? Think it was a little more than that when I got front row seats to you banging Kerry on a flaming yacht.

Exactly my point

[ Is he going to elaborate on that? Nope, he's not. Does he feel some kinda way about that? Yeah, he does. ]

Anyway happy you like the axe. And all jokes aside I'm looking forward to seeing what you do at the showcase

Exactly your point nothing. I’m saying that my opinion should count for a little more than others’.

[Johnny’s always got to have the last word in the matter.]

I’m looking forward to playing. Wanna know what you think when it’s all said and done.

[ Gdi Johnny! ]

Whatever Johnny

Was gonna ask how you're feeling about playing again in front of people in your own body after so long but I got my answer

Gonna be a good night and won't stop when the show does

Like being handed the keys again to an old familiar ride. A better familiar ride.

[He’s messing with him. Partly.]

Anyway, I’ll eat my non-existent hat if there isn’t an afterparty where everyone can get blazed or wasted out of their skulls. You gonna be free of your security duties by then to have a little fun?

Yeah emphasis on the old

Figure most people are gonna be skezzed and yeah I'll be there

Could do with cutting loose

Ha ha.

Find me after, then. We’ll find some trouble to get into.

And thanks, by the way. For the guitar. Owe you one for it.

I will

Don't owe me anything - it's called a gift ya gonk. Just like my sparkling personality - a gift to be around

(no subject)

engrams - 2021-04-28 13:44 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

disrupts - 2021-04-28 14:49 (UTC) - Expand

[ Noctium ic inbox ]

that gift~

V is way too good to Johnny weh

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

(no subject)

(no subject)