A Soldier's Smile/What's that on your face?

[vjockey]

[Over the past two weeks something has been odd with Cheng. Now you can see the full result of that. He seems to be sporting a goatee now. Was it MarKus' suggestion? Something else? Whatever it is though, he certainly looks different.]

[Bring up his new look?]

Comments

[saikyocivrobo]

Do you need help packing your stuff?

[vjockey]

I don't quite understand. I'm not going anywhere.

[saikyocivrobo]

You might be if Devon spots that and kicks you out.

[vjockey]

I am sure you are exaggerating.

[Cheng now rubs at his goatee. For the oddest reason it evokes the image of Fu Manchu... as played by Nicholas Cage.]

[emorangerblack]

[Devon maintains a perfectly balanced and composed expression. Actually, only the upper half of her face is visible, because she is very focused on the book she was reading just now.]

[vjockey]

Devon.

[And Cheng is beside her now.]

[emorangerblack]

[Perfectly composed. She DID saw Cheng grew the goatee out, after all the two do spend significant time together.]

Yes, Cheppppffft....

[But Devon cannot help but burst into laughter anyway.]

[vjockey]

[And despite her laughter, or really...because of it - Cheng is smiling.]

Its good to hear you laugh you know.

[2hell_weride]

[[This is what MarKus does...

He laughs (in your general direction). But it's clearly not mocking.]]

[vjockey]

[Cheng has a wry smile on his face.]

Clearly this was the best idea you have had yet.

[2hell_weride]

What? I've had way better ideas!

[vjockey]

For example then?

[Cheng folded his arms and awaited MarKus's reply.]

[marinefashion]

... I like it. Makes you look more like a dad.

[vjockey]

Do you believe so?

[He looks contemplative. The mentors who were more fatherly than his own father pulled off the look quite well. So maybe there WAS something about it...]

[marinefashion]

Yeah, really makes you look good to be honest.

[vjockey]

Devon finds it... agreeable.

[It made her laugh. Good enough for him.]

[emorangerpink]

[Blink. Blink.

Nope. Not gonna comment. No sir. Nnnnnngh...]

...Your own idea?

[vjockey]

MarKus gave me the idea actually. I considered it and decided to do it.

[emorangerpink]

It looks...

Well, kind of strange, to be honest. But not in a bad way... it'll just take some getting used to.

How bad has the teasing been?

[vjockey]

Not as bad as one might think. So far only two people have laughed.

[There was a wry smile on his face.]