2024-12-28 - Teaming up Again

So this is it. The Arena of Champions. His new 'home' so to speak.

Bennie looks at the display around him, wearing his civilian attire of a gray pullover hoodie and jeans. He looks tired, but there is a smile on his features as he looks around him and thinks.

"Yeah. I like it. Not sure how they'll like me, but...here's hoping I guess."

Unfortunately Angelo is in one of those roles where he can't break character if in costume- it just ruins the illusion for the kids and that's just not fun. This means finishing his show and changing out of Cap'n Cashew's garb and then heading over to the new area in a UofM stadium jacket and knit cap. Finding the familiar face that dimpled grin widens; a little cocky and a lot fond to see an old pal again.

Both hands come down on Bennie's shoulders giving them a wobble. "Slick isn't it? They give you the tour or just slap ya on the ass and say go wander around like I got?" Surprise! "It's good to see you. You get in okay and everything?"

The show is watched. Because why not? It helps him see some of the interactions between cast and audience. He also sees Angelo in all his Cap'n Cashew's glory and grins with a cheer adding to that of the audience's appreciative response.

As everyone starts to move to their next destination with the end of the show he feels the hands on his shoulders and turns to see his good friend. "Hey! Definitely slick," he says and goes to give the man a hug. "You were great out there and it's good to see you too." Stepping back he laughs, "Not even an ass slap. Just told to go explore. So here I am."

"Yeah I did," Bennie nods with the question about his arrival and looks to Angelo, "Look. I really appreciate this. And I owe you big."

The hug is huge with a ruffle of hair though Angelo does sort of attempt to put it back. Parking his butt to watch the show with Bennie he points out who a couple of people are. "yeah a lot of these folks are into something called Hema. I think it means they also use sharp steel and go to first blood or something. No idea but no one's fight clubbed it up in here."

Shaking his head he says "You're here on your merit, man. Nothing to thank me for." Pointing to the show he offers, "Stoked you got to catch the show. Johnny's a beast. Curious if you've met before. He used to compete for Romania.
I have second part off for a while. Be happy to run around with ya. One day will not acclimate you to everything even with a map so don't feel bad. It's... it's huge. Like huge huge. Ya look good! Where they got you?"

There's a break to clap for the show even from off to the side. He's not one to fail clapping for someone else's presentation.

With the familiarity of a friendship and the ruffling of hair, Bennie relaxes and nods. "Well still. Thank you."

"I don't know. A lot of faces. I think I'm still in the 'overwhelm' stage," he laughs. The question about where they have him gets a quick grin, "Here actually. You are looking at Chester the Jester!" Bennie says proudly and holds his hands out to either side. "Well you will at least once I have my costume."

All about showing appreciation, Bennie claps as well. It's good sportsmanship!

Angelo tucks his arms in to stay warm though it's not so bad on the island, but these boys are from sunshine states. This is weird, and very very grey. "Kinda reminded me of like the early competitions as a kid where everyone seems very tall and recognized and I have no idea what's going on or that I fit there yet, but it worked out."

Looking back to Bennie he asks, "You still unpacking and things I'm imagining? If you want to catch food later I got ya as a welcome to new home present. Friend of mine's doing some live music tonight and the food is super good. Warm ya up after all this. It's, uh, it's a little bit more exciting than the cafeteria food." The caf food is good, but something made by plate and not by volume is very different.

"He works in this area. He's teh traveling bard. We'll have to have you meet Ty. He's hilarious, and good people. My brother'll be working out here with you too. Not total strangers, yeah?"

"Yeah. Wow hadn't thought of that, but that's exactly what it's like," he laughs.

The question about unpacking gets a shrug, "Didn't bring much. Just my duffel and backpack." A smirk then, "Unless you meant mental unpacking. In which case that might take longer."

Then, Bennie chuckles at the offer, "Now free food? I will NEVER say no to." Angelo is a fellow snacker though so he will understand. The mention of other people gets a nod, "Cool. Yeah. It'll be nice to have some familiar faces, but everyone seems nice."

Angelo easily gestures a 'there you have it' wave of his hand, "It's why you keep me around." Angelo's head dips to the side and says without missing a beat, "We should go get you some good winter gear. Until then I have an extra proper ski jacket that will keep you warmer than shit getting across on the ferry. Open water in the morning is bitter and angry about it." he knows Bennie won't accept stuff, but borrowing is not always off the table there.

Angelo tilts his head and says "Ty's a good friend and makes strange places feel familiar." He pauses and says with a grin, "He's also super tall so good at reaching things." There's some humor to this but Angelo doesn't get into the why. The amusement wanes faintly, "Yeaaaaaaah mental unpacking's been a process lately. With you on that."

"One of the many reasons," Bennie assures his friend with a chuckle. "Don't sell yourself short."

The offer of the jacket is met with an initial familiar expression, but Bennie considers it. 'Until then' indicated a time frame. A time frame which would end and he would give the jacket back. "That works. Thanks." Angelo. Official Bennie Whisperer.

"Tall friends are definitely a plus. They warn you when it starts raining." It hadn't been his intention to bring down any mood with the mention of mental unpacking so Bennie pauses before looking to Angelo and grinning. "So. Cap'n Cashew. You looked in your element out there. It was cool. Did they give you the getup...or do I have to put something together for Chester the Jester?"

Angelo's hands lift up not arguing the point with Bennie, but nods, "Yeah you leave the island and it gets biting cold. This way you don't turn into a Bennipop and you can see what works before investing. First winter my freshman year a college I was like I'm fiiiiiiine. And then we went outside and it was late January and I was like NOPE My fragile sun-kissed self is not built for such atrocity." The grin holds used to the years Bennie has introduced him to passive sharing instead of dumping solutions on people like orbital bombardment.

When cashew's adventures with friends there are brought up he preens a bit. "The wings I'm responsible for but, uh, yeah the wardrobe team has all the production notes and design the theme for the show from there and we show up and they dress us for school. My brother Dante actually did the winter getup that you saw me in. If you're like," his hands weigh and evaluate his thoughts here. "If something's not working needs to be looser or tighter or warmer or whatever you can bring it back and they will nerd out over it until its better. Prevents accidents."

With an assuring look he clarifies, "They'll make something that fits the area and stuff you're in and DO take input so if they put you in lime green slip them a mochaccino and ask for it in like purple or something. I'm not saying bribery works but I am saying networking and making friends fosters a warm reception to feedback."

"Yeah. Good point. I can already tell a difference between Las Vegas and here and not a fan. Everything else seems great. Guess that just means more cocoa." Oh. The terror. Anything but cocoa please.

Listening about the costumes Bennie nods, "Well that's cool that you get some input. Not that I know what I'd input...it's nice to have the option though. I'll keep the trick in mind about bribery too. Always good to know. Any warnings you can think of or is it mostly a great place?"

"A chocolatey, chocolatey fate we live, Ben." Angelo shakes his head- woe! What woe. Angelo's still in a good mood though it's cold, but more of his distant world is threading together which is all he's really asked for. Traveling and having a career from toddlerhood there doesn't leave a lot of time for life outside the gym or long term friends- these few he's happy to hold onto with both hands.

"Lots of warnings. Don't do everything at once and don't try to fly to the mainland, just take the boat in case it comes up. Outside of that the warning is don't try something and not tell me. I love to know what's going on with your journey man. Try shit. that's... I think that's my advice. " With a small smile he promises, "It's still hard work but it gets better and easier as ya go. You need anything make sure you ask dammit."

Listening to all the advice, Bennie grins. "That's definitely a list. I'll try and remember all the tips and yes definitely I'll keep you in the loop. Same goes for you."

A smile then, "It's really good to see you, Jello. It's been way too long."

Angelo warms a wide grin at being called that by someone other than the siblings. Leaning his shoulder bumps Bennie's and he says "After this show we'll take the tunnels under, grab food at the caf, and I'll show you the shortcut to Mystic Mountain from here. So much faster than civilian side. Warmer.... uh, you'll get used to the smell. you won't ever enjoy it but you'll get used to it."

Though he admits agreement, "Too long. Glad ya caught up I been waitin here like six months, man. Tomorrow is my day off. we'll take you around the Crescent," the staff island, "and find what you need to move in and get settled so you don't get lost and frozen to the sidewalk."