#aop: task

March 1, 2023, Nighttime KBW

It had been a long day. Three new recruits in a single day, one of them his ex-boyfriend. Landing on the brand-new-to-him station. The imminent gala, that he still hadn’t locked down his outfit for. He just knew that it needed to be something good. By the time the evening rolled around, he’d set on ducking into his hotel room and sleeping for a solid twelve--no, thirteen hours.

He crossed the fancy lobby, the click of his shoes reverberating off the tiles of the floor as he headed towards the elevators. When the doors slid open, Robin relaxed his shoulders and laid his head against the wall. Being the only one in the elevator, he had no one to act like the second-in-command of a reputable ship around, and he could just be…himself. For the first time all day.

That was short-lived, though, as when the doors began to slide shut, he heard a “Wait!” and the sound of sneakers running in his direction. Robin could be an asshole, he could press that button, right there, that slid the doors close. The guy would live, and Robin would get his precious elevator to himself. But instead he made himself straighten up and quickly darted his hand to keep the metal doors from closing. He’d effectively sandwiched his hand before they jumped apart, revealing Ian Solko, new entertainment recruit. His light brown hair looked windblown from sprinting, and his breath quickly heaved in and out. Ian’s large eyes met Robin’s, and he could have sworn he saw the man swallow before he moved into the elevator and clicked the button to his floor.

“Robin the first mate, right?” Ian asked shakily, in between breaths. They’d formally met earlier that day, but Robin understood. There were quite a few names to remember.

“Just Robin,” he replied. “Have you been settling into the ship okay?”

“Oh, yeah!” Ian brightened. “It’s been a whirlwind of a day. But everyone’s been so sweet to me so far! I’ve talked to so many people. And they’re all okay with me bringing a grumpy cat aboard, not the grumpy cat from the memes, but a grumpy cat. Beverly is her name, apologies in advance if she doesn’t like you, she’s kind of just like that--” The entertainer wildly gestured with his arms as he rambled on about his cat. Robin would like to say that he picked up on every single thing he said, but his brain was tired. Ian officially told him too many things. His mind went to his appearance instead: his oversized t-shirt and cargo pants and scuffed sneakers, his dyed brown hair framing a rounded face with big cheeks that stretched when he gave a wide smile.

“You have great skin,” Robin commented. He hoped he hadn’t interrupted something important. Ian seemed surprised at the sudden shift in topic, but he seemed to take it in stride.

“Thanks, Just Robin! It’s kind of a species trait. I was a vanneer a couple weeks ago, so my skin hasn’t been able to get exposed to the elements quite yet. But if I’m a human for a long time, I do get acne and all that…” Right, Robin had been briefed on Ian’s species. Same as Stella’s. He wondered how that was going to play out on the ship.

“--But your skin is great, too! You must work really hard to keep it so glassy,” Ian went on, a bit mystified.

Robin did smile at that, a quick, tired one upturning his lips. “I do work hard on it, thank you.”

“Is it--would it be weird if I touched it?”

“‘It?’”

“Your cheek?”

Oh. “Yes, it would,” Robin confirmed. Ian sagged and laughed hesitantly. Uncomfortably.

“Sorr--”

“You can, though. If you want to,” Robin continued, cutting them off. Sure, why not? He wasn’t hurting anything.

“O-oh. Okay!” The doors to Robin’s floor dinged open and they stepped out into the hallway. Robin ducked around a corner, effectively keeping elevator traffic from interrupting them. He leaned his face down so Ian could feel his cheek. And yes, this was weird. Why was he letting Ian do this? And worse, why was Ian tracing his finger along his cheek very slowly and softly?

“Very nice,” Ian whispered. Robin caught his eyes flickering briefly towards his lips, then back to his eyes again.

Well. Entertainers were not off-limits, Robin had already made sure of that. For no reason, of course. Why would he have a reason? Ahem. But Ali was their boss now, not him.

“I don’t know how I didn’t realize your eyes are two different colors,” Ian breathed, continuing to stare at them. “I’m a big fan of the color purple, though I think yellow is my favorite--” Robin interrupted the entertainer by capturing his lips in a kiss and pressing him against the wall.

He heard Ian squeak with surprise under him, his large eyes wide as saucers, but he very quickly got over his shock and leaned into Robin’s lips, meeting him with an intensity he hadn’t expected. His hands reached up to Robin’s chest, thumbs tracing over his suit jacket and brushing along the fabric over his collarbones. Robin’s arms braced on either side of Ian’s small frame, effectively surrounding the entertainer. He hoped Ian didn’t feel trapped, but by the way they were slotting their lips forcefully against his, their tongue tracing his bottom lip, Robin felt certain that Ian enjoyed every moment of this.

Their kisses grew slow and languid, the exhaustion settling into the first mate. When they finally parted, Robin brought his hand to Ian’s chin, cupping his kiss-swollen face in his hand. “You’re very pretty, and this was fun, but…”

“No, yeah--” Ian nodded into his palm. “I mean, fuck. You’re gorgeous. But we don’t need to take this further tonight. If you wanted to kiss some more, though, maybe? Sometime? I wouldn’t be opposed.”

Alisz reacts very negatively to this, but does not kick him out.  She tells him that she has put in a lot of work with him over the years, that he is much too talented and that he has too much potential to throw that away.  She believes Robin is simply overreacting and he’ll calm down.  He’ll see reason.  He’s much too young to know what he wants.

This of course has been years of pent-up emotion coming to the surface, and it’s not going away.  Robin, completely unaware of what he wants to do as smuggling has been his only option, applies and is accepted to a college in Different City doing Pre-Law on a whim, and is accepted.

He makes preparations for leaving, and of course loops Ryder in on these plans.

Ryder’s motivations had largely been up to this point becoming a smuggler because they wouldn’t be alone.  Becoming a medic would be an extension of that; they’re doing what their mother wants so that they don’t become isolated from the rest of the family.  When Ryder finds out Robin is quitting and leaving, they decide to do the same, applying to the same college but as a Drama major.

They tell their father they’re leaving.  Henry is heartbroken, but understands a little too well.  He gives them enough funds to get started that wouldn’t be too much of a discrepancy in the Astrea bank accounts, and tells them he’ll always pick up when they call, and he loves them very much.

Robin and Ryder are equipped with a good amount of survival skills, but these two nineteen-year-olds were not very well-versed on how to get an apartment and pay the bills, on top of going to college.  They both don’t know how to cook, and so that becomes a problem very quickly.  There is a large amount of uncertainty over whether they made the wrong decision and things are very rough. But Henry sends them money whenever he can, they get part-time jobs, a lot of ramen is eaten, and they get by.

In the meantime, they’re both incredibly timid to be so out of their comfort zones...but they’re both surprised at the way they’re thriving in their respective environments.

Ryder is of course doing what they love, which is dance and performing in musicals.  

Robin wasn’t serious about becoming a lawyer when he chose this major, but he was surprised at how quickly his brain latched onto the information.  It all made sense, he could memorize blocks of text quickly, and he was great at technical writing.  Learning to argue and negotiate came later in law school, but he was confident that he would be able to do that as well.

When Skylar finds out about the twins quitting smuggling and moving, he offers his emotional support and visits as often as he can.

A year or so passes, and they’re much more comfortable about where they are and what they’re doing.  They miss their parents, but they don’t miss the training.  The only expectations they have is paying the bills (which admittedly hasn’t lightened up much) and due dates for essays, which is a welcome change.

It is at this point that Robin learns from social media that Theo is in Different City as well.  The twins had to disconnect their old cell phones as Alisz was paying the bill before, and so Robin had lost his ex’s number for a while.  They eventually got much cheaper phone plans, and Robin tried to call Theo at the end of 2017 and explain why he’d disappeared, but Theo’s number was also disconnected.

Excited but very nervous at the thought of reconnecting with his ex boyfriend, Robin messages him and asks if they can meet up.

Robin explains what happened.  Theo explains what happened to him.  They’re both happy to see each other again, and they start to hang out a lot more times after that.

Eventually…they rekindle their relationship.

Theo has done a pretty good job at the starving musician thing, and so it only takes a couple months before he’s moving in with the twins.  With an extra person, this alleviates their money problems so they have a little bit of breathing room.  It’s still not great.  But, better.

A couple more years pass in this way, getting by, working their asses off, and somehow staying happy and content with the small family they have going on.  Whenever Sky comes by, they hang out and have a very good time.  One on occasion, he brings a cat and a dog from an Earth animal shelter, and they are more than happy to harbor secret pets.  They celebrate holidays.  They redecorate and repair their terrible apartment many times.  Theo teaches the twins how to cook more than ramen.  Robin, Ryder, and Theo’s life is chaotic, but it’s a good one.

A couple years ago, Theo learns that his father passed away.  He has the emotional support this time around, and he leaves for Rungung, but only to attend the funeral and sell the diner.

The twins go with him for a part of this to help him through it, and in the meantime they go and visit their parents for the first time in years.

Henry is ecstatic, and Alisz is bitter.  Robin has had years to think about what happened, and explains his feelings in depth around him and Ryder leaving.  They all have a hard conversation, but they come out the better for it.  Alisz has had time to think on her own, and have some retrospection.  She comes to terms with the amount of pressure she put on the twins.  When the twins leave back for Different City, it’s with closure…and a trunk full of journals that they now use as a coffee table.

Ryder and Robin graduate from the university in June of 2021, and Robin applies and is accepted into law school.  With the funds from selling the diner, and Ryder deep into the Different City musical theatre scene, they’re able to move into a better apartment.  With reliable water pressure and everything.  And they don’t have to hide that they have pets anymore.

The twins and Theo attend Skylar and Ali’s wedding in October of 2022, though they’re all absolutely fucking confused about this.  Who is this Ali, and what has he done with Sky?

Since Theo and Robin have been dating since about late 2018- early 2019 at this point, they have a bit of a discussion about marriage and stuff at the wedding but not like a serious conversation.  *Cough.*

Name: Robin Astrea Nicknames: Bin, Binnie, Rob, Robert, Bobert, Robitussin, Bob, Bobby, Bobin, keep going for infinity Gender: cis male Pronouns: he/him Birthday: July 1, 1998

appearance

Faceclaim: Cha Eunwoo Height: 6’0” Build: (e.g. slim, athletic, sturdy) Athletic, slightly muscular. Hair Color: Black Hairstyle: Longer, to his ears, wavy and with bangs.   Eye Color: Right eye is brown, Left eye is violet purple Scars/Markings/Tattoos: A few small scars on his arms and legs from being young and being allowed to wield knives, and from several missions he was allowed to accompany his mother on. Fashion Sense: He now wears glasses.  Very classic style, a lot of neutrals/blacks, but with occasionally a pop of color from his shirts or an accessory.  A little bit 70s inspired sometimes.  Very sleek, ironed meticulously.  Here, have some inspo: 1 2 3 4

background

Hometown:  Rungung, Maeyr, Gaison, Kraysha Romantic/Sexual Orientation: Gay/Homosexual Relationship Status: Taken--dating a hot erkuss named Theo Occupation: First Mate Hobbies: calligraphy, journaling, collecting, video games

traits

Strengths: Organized, loyal, caring, empathetic.  Smuggling, sneaking, and combat including hand-to-hand and knife/shortsword.  Great handwriting, pretty good at impressions. Weaknesses:  Communication, seeing things right in front of him, singing, cooking. Temperament: (e.g. calm, quick-tempered, capricious) Friendly, but can be cold, or hot-headed. Neutral Traits: meticulous, clean, stubborn, emotional Dominant Hand: Right-handed

persona

general

Name: Callec Lucerniis Nicknames: Cal Gender: Male Pronouns: He/him Birthday: 3/15, 7/15, 11/15, 1983

appearance

Faceclaim: Ryan Gosling Height: 6'0" Build: (e.g. slim, athletic, sturdy) He's pretty muscley ig, broad shoulders and arms, toned, no abs though Hair Color: Blonde Hairstyle: Short, mussed up Eye Color: Blue Scars/Markings/Tattoos: Plenty of scars littering his body, particularly one Very Large one running along his spine, along with his arms and chest from fights. A couple terrible tattoos Fashion Sense: He wears loose, comfortable, lightweight clothing. His body prefers being cold, and layers will warm him up. 1 2

background

Hometown: Iing, Bliiuu Plye, Grisehirii Romantic/Sexual Orientation: Bisexual Relationship Status: Single Occupation: Clerk Hobbies: Partying, drinking, um, yep that's kinda it

traits

Strengths: Dry humor, Caring (though this one's a deep down trait, no one's gonna know about this one) Weaknesses: Often apathetic, Irresponsible, unintelligent Temperament: (e.g. calm, quick-tempered, capricious) Calm, nonchalant, a 'what the hell, sure' attitude Neutral Traits: Tough Dominant Hand: Right

persona

1.

2.

3.

4. Kiersey

Artisans are most at home in the real world of solid objects that can be made and manipulated, and of real-life events that can be experienced in the here and now. Artisans have exceptionally keen senses, and love working with their hands. They seem right at home with tools, instruments, and vehicles of all kinds, and their actions are usually aimed at getting them where they want to go, and as quickly as possible. Thus Artisans will strike off boldly down roads that others might consider risky or impossible, doing whatever it takes, rules or no rules, to accomplish their goals. This devil-may-care attitude also gives the Artisans a winning way with people, and they are often irresistibly charming with family, friends, and co-workers.

5. 16 Personalities

ESTP (Entrepreneur) is a personality type with the Extraverted, Observant, Thinking, and Prospecting traits. They tend to be energetic and action-oriented, deftly navigating whatever is in front of them. They love uncovering life’s opportunities, whether socializing with others or in more personal pursuits.

6. Sorting Hat Chats - Snake Primary, Badger Secondary

7. OSPP Four Temperaments

8. Big Five

9. Statistical Which Character

9. DISC Assessment

Notes:

When taking these tests, a lot of the time “detail-oriented” kept showing up as a result. He is not.

What if Lenjamin had never approached Ian while he was sleeping in space?

Ian wouldn’t know anything different, and would still be out there sleepin.’  Honk shoo mimimimimi

What would happen if Ian and Len had never been arrested?

Len was fond of Ian, yes, but was becoming steadily bored and already looking for an out, but stayed around to help Ian learn to be on Earth out of obligation.  Since he was the one that brought Ian to Earth in the first place.  The [failed] heist happened to come about at the right time for him, and if it didn’t, Len would have likely woken up one day and decided to leave with the same amount of energy: A quick goodbye, a quick apology.

What if Ian never phased to leave jail, like Lenjamin did?

Then he would have probably been sentenced to prison, if thinking about the severity levels of the heist itself.

What if Ian wasn’t a virgin?

If he were to have lost it with anyone he felt comfortable with in the past, it would have been Tobie.  But he was scared enough just confessing that he loved him, so taking that further step was almost impossible.  He was close to coming around to opening up to Tobie about it, but then inevitable shit went down.

Before that, Ian had always been very go with the flow, do as he’s told, down for just about anything.  If someone wanted to convince him, he could have been convinced.  But no stranger or short term fling had ever been convincing enough.

What if Ian and Beverly had never found the Qraxoldov and remained on Earth?

Ian knew the streets were no place for a lovely cat like Beverly to remain on, no matter how accustomed to it she was.  But Ian had no identity, no SS number, so that made it near-impossible to be employed somewhere stable, let alone make enough to get housing in New York.  Ian would have little to no other option but to leave the city.

He contacts his old best friend Rory, who is living out in the Midwest with his now wife, catches up with him, and explains that he is looking for a place to work and live.

Rory and his wife are now owners/managers of a shop that sells engine parts and tractors, and offers him a job as a sales representative.  Obviously this is a far cry from what Ian is used to, but he will take whatever he can get.  And this way, Rory is back in his life again.

Moving is quite a bit harder with a cat (Before he could simply become incorporeal and move around the Earth with no issue) but he takes a bus and makes it to the small town.  He stays with Rory and his wife for a few months while getting funds and also accustomed to his new life, then is able to secure a rental house to live in.

Ian and Rory form up their old band McGriddle again, and they perform at the bars in the area from time to time.

Being under constant scrutiny from humans, Ian doesn’t shift for years and years.  His body ages.

When Beverly passes away after a long and full life of 17 years, a devastated Ian has nothing holding him down any longer, but he’s also satisfied with his life, and doesn’t leave.  He is an uncle to Rory’s children, and a fixture in their small town community through the friends he made and the many clubs and councils he joined because he can’t say no.

At one point Ian meets and falls in love with a woman who never quite matches his energy and devotion, but does love him and wants to settle and start a family.  It’s when Ian is weeks from proposing that it occurs to him: they can never have children.  Ian knows that obviously it’s possible for his species to have children, but these hypothetical children would be part his species, and the secret would inevitably get out at some point.  And also, Ian had no identity.  They can't legally get married.

He tells his partner this in vague terms without divulging his status.  This creates a large rift between them, resulting in a terrible breakup.

Ian decides after this, that it’s better to stay single.