(it's been two lives since manjiro stepped foot in aldrip, only to find out it has barely been any time at all. he's gone home to do exactly what he has done here, only to mess up as he has here. only to murder those who are special to him.
ten years separate that time from now. a different person, maybe, one that is not cursed to the bones, one that understands what he has done, and how it wasn't-- anything practical, efficient, or any good with the end result in mind.
so. it's been a week here, it seems. he has a lot of ground to cover. a lot of things to do. the first thing he does is a round of texts, but this is not something he can simply go for a simple 'hey, are you okay' in one's inbox. manjiro now sports long black hair, he's slightly older, not that it shows that much, as he knocks on the door of where yu is supposed to be.)
ten years separate that time from now. a different person, maybe, one that is not cursed to the bones, one that understands what he has done, and how it wasn't-- anything practical, efficient, or any good with the end result in mind.
so. it's been a week here, it seems. he has a lot of ground to cover. a lot of things to do. the first thing he does is a round of texts, but this is not something he can simply go for a simple 'hey, are you okay' in one's inbox. manjiro now sports long black hair, he's slightly older, not that it shows that much, as he knocks on the door of where yu is supposed to be.)
[It's been hardly any time at all since the tower. Since Yu woke back in Aldrip wondering if it was all a bad dream, only to find angry bruises in the mirror.
He had left the dojo immediately.
The little house he had shared with Yosuke for so long was just as they had left it, though a little messier, a little dustier than he remembered. But-- it's fine. It's home. At least it wasn't difficult to find after the city had changed so dramatically. Yu copes in the same way he always does: he immerses himself in obligations for work, obligations with other people, and chases the distance until his mind is ready to catch up.
So he doesn't answer the door, because he's not inside. He's approaching the house from behind where the other boy stands, and for a second, he stops, looking at the stranger with dark hair as he reaches speaking distance.]
Hey. Can I... [--help you? The words go unsaid as he realizes he recognizes the other. His throat constricts. His pulse quickens.
He's left stunned and motionless, standing just a few feet away.]
He had left the dojo immediately.
The little house he had shared with Yosuke for so long was just as they had left it, though a little messier, a little dustier than he remembered. But-- it's fine. It's home. At least it wasn't difficult to find after the city had changed so dramatically. Yu copes in the same way he always does: he immerses himself in obligations for work, obligations with other people, and chases the distance until his mind is ready to catch up.
So he doesn't answer the door, because he's not inside. He's approaching the house from behind where the other boy stands, and for a second, he stops, looking at the stranger with dark hair as he reaches speaking distance.]
Hey. Can I... [--help you? The words go unsaid as he realizes he recognizes the other. His throat constricts. His pulse quickens.
He's left stunned and motionless, standing just a few feet away.]
...............
"Sister Complex Kingpin of Steel"?????
[that's it. that's the text LMFAO]
"Sister Complex Kingpin of Steel"?????
[that's it. that's the text LMFAO]
(fun thing about having spent many, many nights at lupin? knowing where sigma kept that blanket and pillow. mikey's in one of the backrooms, taking the nap of his damn life, considering how much he has eaten - nothing abnormal, it's almost routine to let mikey nap anywhere when he sees fit.
the black hair is as wild as it always has been once he wakes, a mess of poofy strands as he opens the door to find... absolutely no one. nothing. all lights are down, music is down -- if he had a dime for everytime this happened here, he'd have two whole ass dimes, which isn't much, but it says something that it happened twice.
well. vi can deal with the dent he leaves in the morning, he'll leave her a note with some cash - right now, he yawns as he comes into the kitchen, because, guess what, naps make him hungry as hell.)
Cake, cake, cake... If I were gangsta ass Vi, where would I hide the fucking cakes.
the black hair is as wild as it always has been once he wakes, a mess of poofy strands as he opens the door to find... absolutely no one. nothing. all lights are down, music is down -- if he had a dime for everytime this happened here, he'd have two whole ass dimes, which isn't much, but it says something that it happened twice.
well. vi can deal with the dent he leaves in the morning, he'll leave her a note with some cash - right now, he yawns as he comes into the kitchen, because, guess what, naps make him hungry as hell.)
Cake, cake, cake... If I were gangsta ass Vi, where would I hide the fucking cakes.
[He's locked in.
He's distracted; his head is so full of thoughts it feels like it might explode; morally, ethically, logically, he's utterly unmoored. And now he's locked in. He checks the door one last time, just to be sure, but-- yeah, it's locked alright, and he doesn't have a key. Maybe he can call someone...ah, but it looks like he left his tablet in the kitchen.
Yu has never felt so intensely off, frazzled, directionless, so at odds with himself. It's maddening.
It's only when he pushes open the door to the kitchen that he realizes he's not alone -- and if not for the sound of such a familiar voice, it would take him a longer moment to recognize the other boy. In spite of the recognition, in spite of their previous encounter at the dojo, Yu freezes where he stands for a moment, breath hanging in his throat. It's almost an automatic response, something that takes hold of him before he even really consciously realizes who it is.
Mikey. He's locked in with Mikey.]
... I didn't see any when I was closing the kitchen.
[The spell breaks; the shock eases out of his expression. He moves closer, somewhat, though there's still a bit of tension in the way he stands. It's-- progress, maybe. Not perfect, but...he's still moving forward, at least a little.]
He's distracted; his head is so full of thoughts it feels like it might explode; morally, ethically, logically, he's utterly unmoored. And now he's locked in. He checks the door one last time, just to be sure, but-- yeah, it's locked alright, and he doesn't have a key. Maybe he can call someone...ah, but it looks like he left his tablet in the kitchen.
Yu has never felt so intensely off, frazzled, directionless, so at odds with himself. It's maddening.
It's only when he pushes open the door to the kitchen that he realizes he's not alone -- and if not for the sound of such a familiar voice, it would take him a longer moment to recognize the other boy. In spite of the recognition, in spite of their previous encounter at the dojo, Yu freezes where he stands for a moment, breath hanging in his throat. It's almost an automatic response, something that takes hold of him before he even really consciously realizes who it is.
Mikey. He's locked in with Mikey.]
... I didn't see any when I was closing the kitchen.
[The spell breaks; the shock eases out of his expression. He moves closer, somewhat, though there's still a bit of tension in the way he stands. It's-- progress, maybe. Not perfect, but...he's still moving forward, at least a little.]
Edited 2024-06-09 02:04 (UTC)
once you wrote a bunch of stuff to clear you head and just sent me. i think i should do the same, but i'm sending on purpose.
i've never been good at this talking shit. even now, i ain't good at it. i don't even know how to put this to you, even when i lived it two fucking times. my dad died in a car accident when i was 3, my mom was bedridden in the hospital for years thereafter - and all i ever wanted as a kid was to be just like my dad. she spoke about him like he hung the moon, how strong he was, how fun he was, how he never shed a single tear and how dependable he was. i don't remember shit about it.
i saw her once a week, and id tell her all the kids i beat up between visits, all the championships, all the things i'd be doing, and she'd always respond about how i was just like him. so i wanted to be strong, so she'd be happy. i never asked for help, and i did just like she taught me. in that previous life, up until takemichi died, i had never cried of sadness in front of anyone. all funerals, all deaths, all hospital visits, i was a rock so that everyone could have some emotional stability to hang on to.
and then the fucking curse. i've done horrible, horrible fucking things because of it. if i told you, you'd be disgusted just by looking at me, i sometimes am, too. every single time, i either sank everyone down with me, or made everyone despise me so they couldn't come to close. so i wouldn't... lose anyone else. never once had i reached back to the hands that tried to pull me out of it.
because i was scared. i was scared of so many things back then, and i couldn't-- wouldn't let anyone see that side of me. a weaker side. one that couldn't handle everything alone. scared i'd lose more if i were around. scared i'd ruin the people around me.
that was... a long time ago, for me. i still can't cry whenever i'm sad and this is the first time in forever i'm talking about how i feel, and i get it if you don't think it matters. i don't think it matters. fuck, you'd be well within your rights to not even read this, i definitely wouldn't blame you.
... but i miss you. it makes me feel weak, ridiculous, embarrassed and weak again, to come and tell you all this shit. im kinda getting why you wanted to delete the message now. part of me doesn't even think i have the right to miss you so much, when i'm the reason you're not here with me.
but i miss your laugh in the morning, the nerdy shit books on the shelves, your little shit grin, the way you hid your face when you liked something too much, the smartass comments, the way you'd shower me with kisses before bed, and it's fucked up to me personally to want something i've fucked up, and it's even more fucked up that i'm here with my head down, telling you all this shit.
... i need help. i don't know what i'm doing. i hope you come home one day. that's all i wanted to say.
i've never been good at this talking shit. even now, i ain't good at it. i don't even know how to put this to you, even when i lived it two fucking times. my dad died in a car accident when i was 3, my mom was bedridden in the hospital for years thereafter - and all i ever wanted as a kid was to be just like my dad. she spoke about him like he hung the moon, how strong he was, how fun he was, how he never shed a single tear and how dependable he was. i don't remember shit about it.
i saw her once a week, and id tell her all the kids i beat up between visits, all the championships, all the things i'd be doing, and she'd always respond about how i was just like him. so i wanted to be strong, so she'd be happy. i never asked for help, and i did just like she taught me. in that previous life, up until takemichi died, i had never cried of sadness in front of anyone. all funerals, all deaths, all hospital visits, i was a rock so that everyone could have some emotional stability to hang on to.
and then the fucking curse. i've done horrible, horrible fucking things because of it. if i told you, you'd be disgusted just by looking at me, i sometimes am, too. every single time, i either sank everyone down with me, or made everyone despise me so they couldn't come to close. so i wouldn't... lose anyone else. never once had i reached back to the hands that tried to pull me out of it.
because i was scared. i was scared of so many things back then, and i couldn't-- wouldn't let anyone see that side of me. a weaker side. one that couldn't handle everything alone. scared i'd lose more if i were around. scared i'd ruin the people around me.
that was... a long time ago, for me. i still can't cry whenever i'm sad and this is the first time in forever i'm talking about how i feel, and i get it if you don't think it matters. i don't think it matters. fuck, you'd be well within your rights to not even read this, i definitely wouldn't blame you.
... but i miss you. it makes me feel weak, ridiculous, embarrassed and weak again, to come and tell you all this shit. im kinda getting why you wanted to delete the message now. part of me doesn't even think i have the right to miss you so much, when i'm the reason you're not here with me.
but i miss your laugh in the morning, the nerdy shit books on the shelves, your little shit grin, the way you hid your face when you liked something too much, the smartass comments, the way you'd shower me with kisses before bed, and it's fucked up to me personally to want something i've fucked up, and it's even more fucked up that i'm here with my head down, telling you all this shit.
... i need help. i don't know what i'm doing. i hope you come home one day. that's all i wanted to say.
[Yu reads the message, and then rereads. Again, again, again, committing things to memory, letting the words work their way into his mind, turning them over and under and inside out. This is how he works, generally; he thinks long and hard before committing to saying something aloud -- or by text, in this case. Maybe that's why his original outburst in text had felt so wrong. It was too impulsive.
Mikey is the exact opposite. There's merit in that, too, though.
In a way, he appreciates it.]
Can't believe you called my books "nerd shit"
[An icebreaker; a small attempt at levity while he tries to process all of this enough to formulate a response. It's a lot. Mikey himself is a lot. Yu doesn't mind at all.]
Parents can really mess you up, huh?
Even when they're trying their best.
[This message is a personal attack on me, by me. Anyway, he types a few things, deletes, rephrases. TYPING... registers on and off a few times while he mulls over his response.]
It probably doesn't feel this way, but being able to say all of this...it's the strongest I've ever seen you.
I think you know how I feel about that. About strength.
[My friends are my strength. He's candid about that sentiment, always.]
And
[TYPING...]
It does matter. Of course I'm going to read it.
[He should leave it at that. Send the message and turn off the tablet. Instead, he continues.]
I don't have any answers. It's complicated.
But... I'm glad you told me this.
Mikey is the exact opposite. There's merit in that, too, though.
In a way, he appreciates it.]
Can't believe you called my books "nerd shit"
[An icebreaker; a small attempt at levity while he tries to process all of this enough to formulate a response. It's a lot. Mikey himself is a lot. Yu doesn't mind at all.]
Parents can really mess you up, huh?
Even when they're trying their best.
[This message is a personal attack on me, by me. Anyway, he types a few things, deletes, rephrases. TYPING... registers on and off a few times while he mulls over his response.]
It probably doesn't feel this way, but being able to say all of this...it's the strongest I've ever seen you.
I think you know how I feel about that. About strength.
[My friends are my strength. He's candid about that sentiment, always.]
And
[TYPING...]
It does matter. Of course I'm going to read it.
[He should leave it at that. Send the message and turn off the tablet. Instead, he continues.]
I don't have any answers. It's complicated.
But... I'm glad you told me this.
[he's not really sure how to approach this. he knows Yu's bond with Mikey runs deep, but he still hasn't recovered from the news he was told on the top of that tower.
Mikey had killed Yu. maybe it wasn't necessarily in the same way as he had died, since it seemed like he came back pretty quickly... but still. Yu had died.
and it was Mikey who had killed him.
those thoughts are still burning in him, but he also knows Yu's talking to Mikey again. so... he guesses he's got to address that elephant in the room.]
hey, Yu. where are you at?
Mikey had killed Yu. maybe it wasn't necessarily in the same way as he had died, since it seemed like he came back pretty quickly... but still. Yu had died.
and it was Mikey who had killed him.
those thoughts are still burning in him, but he also knows Yu's talking to Mikey again. so... he guesses he's got to address that elephant in the room.]
hey, Yu. where are you at?
On my way home.
[The answer is almost immediate, as if he already had his tablet out, ready to send a text.
Which is what had happened, of course. After being locked in the bar for the night...he's come out with more questions than answers. More on his mind than he thinks should be possible. Yu has been freer with forgiveness than some people might suggest, in the past -- even extending that chance to people like Adachi and Namatame. This...is a little different. Even more personal. And yet, that's what makes it more complex, too. Less simple.]
Sorry. Got stuck at work last night. Literally.
[The answer is almost immediate, as if he already had his tablet out, ready to send a text.
Which is what had happened, of course. After being locked in the bar for the night...he's come out with more questions than answers. More on his mind than he thinks should be possible. Yu has been freer with forgiveness than some people might suggest, in the past -- even extending that chance to people like Adachi and Namatame. This...is a little different. Even more personal. And yet, that's what makes it more complex, too. Less simple.]
Sorry. Got stuck at work last night. Literally.
[let's just say that maybe this came after the thread where he gave Kotone the nurse outfit, just so we can say he was out of the house for a bit. but at the conversation between him and Yu... he's definitely going to ditch them and come back home.
he slams the door open when he gets there, hollering:]
The birthday boy is home... and I have cupcakes!!
[even though he wants something else other than cupcakes right now...]
he slams the door open when he gets there, hollering:]
The birthday boy is home... and I have cupcakes!!
[even though he wants something else other than cupcakes right now...]
[Getting this ready was absurdly easy, in hindsight. The city's robust size and his own tendency to come and go made it a simple matter to find what he was looking for and stash it away. Question is: can he get ready before Yosuke gets home?
(Thank you, Kotone and Scott, for unwittingly helping with that.)
He's not in the living room when Yosuke bursts through the door; doesn't even make his presence known until the other boy has his back turned and is close enough that Yu can meet him from the bedroom in a few strides, hands on his hips.
Wearing the outfit.]
You're just in time for your checkup.
(Thank you, Kotone and Scott, for unwittingly helping with that.)
He's not in the living room when Yosuke bursts through the door; doesn't even make his presence known until the other boy has his back turned and is close enough that Yu can meet him from the bedroom in a few strides, hands on his hips.
Wearing the outfit.]
You're just in time for your checkup.
nsfw help i almost forgot, not that it's that shocking bc it's nurse shit but surprise! dicks!
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
izanagis
- 2024-08-08 16:23 (UTC) - Expand[ in his defense, charles isn't exactly used to dodging people on the street. thirty-five years is a long time to shake a habit, and even though he doesn't technically need to do it here, either, he's discovered that the locals tend to freak out if they walk straight through him, and he hates seeing their bewildered (or in the worst cases, frightened for their lives) expressions. so it's easy for him to try and actually pay attention to the people on the streets...
most of the time, anyway. in this particular instance, charles thinks he's spotted someone on the roof of a nearby building, and look, he promised richard he'd try to keep an eye out for other ghosts, so he's craning his neck to catch a better look and decide whether it's an actual person or a more spectral one —
and then there's a gasp coming from right in front of him and charles turns just in time to see wide eyes as the young man braces for collision, except charles just walks right through him, body turning ghostly blue and translucent. the sensation is nothing for him, but for humans, it's akin to walking through a cold spot, a chill that settles in and lingers for a moment before dissipating.
charles grimaces and pivots on the spot. ] Right, uh, sorry, mate. Wasn't looking where I was going.
most of the time, anyway. in this particular instance, charles thinks he's spotted someone on the roof of a nearby building, and look, he promised richard he'd try to keep an eye out for other ghosts, so he's craning his neck to catch a better look and decide whether it's an actual person or a more spectral one —
and then there's a gasp coming from right in front of him and charles turns just in time to see wide eyes as the young man braces for collision, except charles just walks right through him, body turning ghostly blue and translucent. the sensation is nothing for him, but for humans, it's akin to walking through a cold spot, a chill that settles in and lingers for a moment before dissipating.
charles grimaces and pivots on the spot. ] Right, uh, sorry, mate. Wasn't looking where I was going.
[It's been a long week. Month. Months? ... it's been a time. No wonder Yu is distracted; after everything that happened in the last week, he's just glad to still be standing. Not everyone else can say the same. ...which is why he'd gone to check on Naoto, but finding her apartment empty, messages gone unanswered... Well -- suffice to say that Charles isn't the only one distracted, right now.
The chill hits him like a brick, raising gooseflesh, his breath puffing in front of him for a moment...and then it's gone.
Sorry, mate. He exhales, turning to face the spectral teen, and they haven't spoken in person yet, but Yu has a feeling he knows exactly who this is. It takes a second for him to respond, but when he does, it's a shake of his head and a small smile at first.]
Don't worry about it. It's not every day you can say you've been run through by a ghost.
[Wow. Maybe a little morbid, in the humor department, but considering all of the recent deaths (and his latent processing of his own, from May), can you blame him?]
... Charles, right?
The chill hits him like a brick, raising gooseflesh, his breath puffing in front of him for a moment...and then it's gone.
Sorry, mate. He exhales, turning to face the spectral teen, and they haven't spoken in person yet, but Yu has a feeling he knows exactly who this is. It takes a second for him to respond, but when he does, it's a shake of his head and a small smile at first.]
Don't worry about it. It's not every day you can say you've been run through by a ghost.
[Wow. Maybe a little morbid, in the humor department, but considering all of the recent deaths (and his latent processing of his own, from May), can you blame him?]
... Charles, right?
im so mad dw never gave me the notif for this?? what gives, dw
incorrigibles
- 2024-08-25 16:11 (UTC) - Expandright!! if i hadn't opened ur inbox i would have never seen it.... tragedy
incorrigibles
- 2024-09-05 13:57 (UTC) - Expand[There wasn't any warning. But on one seemingly ordinary day, when Yosuke would be at work and Yu wouldn't. He'd come home to find the door unlocked, it wasn't even fully latched.
And when Yu entered...
It was mostly minor inconveniences. Shoes had been rearranged, a few hidden. Any pornographic material had been censored and staches had been drawn on the faces. And the culprit was still there, humming and swinging their legs away as they sat on the kitchen table. Their lab coat hanging off the edge.
The shadow had made a mess of the kitchen. They were currently mixing various ingredients at random, off in her own world for now. Like she'd not just picked a lock and done a load of small pranks.]
And when Yu entered...
It was mostly minor inconveniences. Shoes had been rearranged, a few hidden. Any pornographic material had been censored and staches had been drawn on the faces. And the culprit was still there, humming and swinging their legs away as they sat on the kitchen table. Their lab coat hanging off the edge.
The shadow had made a mess of the kitchen. They were currently mixing various ingredients at random, off in her own world for now. Like she'd not just picked a lock and done a load of small pranks.]
[The door is open. When faced with a situation like this, a potential intruder, some people may back off and call the police. Some may at least wait for help. Yu does neither of those things, instead venturing inside to see what's in store for him. He grabs the golf club by the door as a matter of instinct, or habit, rather than actual need. Inside, the scene looks less like a robbery or a ransacking and more like...
...a series of pranks, maybe?
The club lowers slowly as he surveys the damage, following the trail of chaos into the kitchen to find--]
It's you.
[He sounds collected, but there's some surprise in his expression as he notes the lab coat, those glowing eyes. Naoto's Shadow. How could this be happening again...?]
...a series of pranks, maybe?
The club lowers slowly as he surveys the damage, following the trail of chaos into the kitchen to find--]
It's you.
[He sounds collected, but there's some surprise in his expression as he notes the lab coat, those glowing eyes. Naoto's Shadow. How could this be happening again...?]
so we really never had a date before we started... i guess dating romance is dead right
so. wanna spend obon together? hold hands maybe if youre feeling spicy
so. wanna spend obon together? hold hands maybe if youre feeling spicy
so feel free to tell me off if this is weird but i really, really need to talk to someone
but i can't talk to richard because he's richard and i like scott but this isn't something i can ask him either and then i obviously can't-
i mean, do you wanna help me with something?
but i can't talk to richard because he's richard and i like scott but this isn't something i can ask him either and then i obviously can't-
i mean, do you wanna help me with something?
spirit of honesty etc etc you know the deal blahblahblah
few months back my crime changed from murder which is rich considering the fact i was actively murdering. thought you should know
few months back my crime changed from murder which is rich considering the fact i was actively murdering. thought you should know
oh also that mfker jerry came to my damn house ask me a buncha shit to my face and got me sick
i also totally forgot to let you know that part too
i also totally forgot to let you know that part too
hey, yu
i have a question. and i want it to go on record that i was authorised to ask you for your side, so, you know
anyway, i talked to mikey a while ago
i have a question. and i want it to go on record that i was authorised to ask you for your side, so, you know
anyway, i talked to mikey a while ago
[ The video opens to Mitama, though just like in her recent post, she's wearing her "Santa disguise". She's here on an important business, after all. ]
Ho, ho, ho! Thank you for joining our Secret Santa event~ It's time to find out what ─ or rather who ─ your assignment as Santa's Little Helper for this year is! Drumroll, please...
[ She makes a pause for a dramatic effect, her hand slipping into a Santa hat she's holding and pulling out a small piece of paper with a name on it. ]
It's none other than... Kurama, the green thumb!
Remember, you should present your assignee with a gift of your choice until December 25th! Good luck, and remember: your main task is to spread joy, happiness and the spirit of Christmas cheer!
Miss Santa Coordinator, out!
Ho, ho, ho! Thank you for joining our Secret Santa event~ It's time to find out what ─ or rather who ─ your assignment as Santa's Little Helper for this year is! Drumroll, please...
[ She makes a pause for a dramatic effect, her hand slipping into a Santa hat she's holding and pulling out a small piece of paper with a name on it. ]
It's none other than... Kurama, the green thumb!
Remember, you should present your assignee with a gift of your choice until December 25th! Good luck, and remember: your main task is to spread joy, happiness and the spirit of Christmas cheer!
Miss Santa Coordinator, out!
hey so
those toads r back
i have an idea
those toads r back
i have an idea
(he's been less alone in this bed lately - first, because of that honeymoon phase in which all was fine, and now, it's because he has so much pent-up energy it's what keeps him grounded, less aggressive, more amicable - even when that might be a slight improvement. it's better with that spent energy than without, which means he does rope in yu for late night stays and kisses.
exactly what he is doing right now, under the other boy, a leg hooked as their lips interlock and he lets out a moan, a hand closing around his belt to bring his hips closer.)
exactly what he is doing right now, under the other boy, a leg hooked as their lips interlock and he lets out a moan, a hand closing around his belt to bring his hips closer.)
[This is becoming a familiar place, a reminder of how things were, a reminder of how far they are from that time--
That time being the furthest possible thing from Yu's mind right now as Mikey tugs him closer, hooking a hand into his belt and tugging. His kisses are rough right now, urgent and wanting, as he presses in close, as he puts a hand through the other boy's hair and holds.]
That time being the furthest possible thing from Yu's mind right now as Mikey tugs him closer, hooking a hand into his belt and tugging. His kisses are rough right now, urgent and wanting, as he presses in close, as he puts a hand through the other boy's hair and holds.]
[ Atsushi is hauling what was hopefully the biggest fish he could purchase at the Docks. He isn't sure if this is satisfactory of a gift for his recipient, but surely giving a high quality and expensive ingredient wasn't a bad idea, was it? ]
Hello, I'm your Secret Santa, Atsushi Nakajima. I have come to deliver your gift, Yu Narukami-san.
Hello, I'm your Secret Santa, Atsushi Nakajima. I have come to deliver your gift, Yu Narukami-san.
[He had seen the fish from a distance. Fish is mentioned here first because it's the first thing he saw -- it's kind of hard to miss. As said fish moved through the crowd, and then clearly was defined as someone holding a fish, Yu can't help but notice it's getting closer to him...
Ah. So, this is a new one.
His eyebrows lift for a moment as he tries to work out what to say.
>It's supposed to be "secret" ...
>Well, I do wish for fish...
>Just say something normal, damn.]
Nice to meet you. [????? help] That...that's quite a fish.
Ah. So, this is a new one.
His eyebrows lift for a moment as he tries to work out what to say.
>It's supposed to be "secret" ...
>Well, I do wish for fish...
>Just say something normal, damn.]
Nice to meet you. [????? help] That...that's quite a fish.
NO worries, I apologize I was late to this myself
beastundermoonlight
- 2025-01-13 05:40 (UTC) - Expand[ it's his house, and it isn't. the stairs lead to his room in the basement, and yet don't — the living room is set the same and different. the smell of curry and plum pie waft from the kitchen, just as he remembers it, and yet it is empty; no sign of his mother in her long braid, humming to herself.
for a long moment, charles thinks he is by himself, there. but a clattering sound comes from upstairs, and perhaps there is a living soul, there, still. ]
Hullo? [ he calls out, head tilted, hand reaching into his backpack just in case. ]
for a long moment, charles thinks he is by himself, there. but a clattering sound comes from upstairs, and perhaps there is a living soul, there, still. ]
Hullo? [ he calls out, head tilted, hand reaching into his backpack just in case. ]
[Parts of this house are his all over. The genkan, predictably empty but for his own outside shoes. The meticulous organization of the fridge. His room. The hallway to the door.
Yu is upstairs right now, tidying a bit as he waits to hear from his parents. He's around ten, maybe, and the parts of the house that belong to him are fairly sparse, with little personality and virtually no decoration. Utilitarian objects, things that are useful, are most prevalent; clearly, this house doesn't get a lot of use -- and it can't exactly be called home. Yu hastily picks up the small alarm clock that clattered to the floor, replaces it on the nightstand, and then puts away his duster before padding down the stairs in his house slippers.]
It's just me. [Said with little to no caution or trepidation. He looks at Charles curiously, but mildly.]
... If you're looking for my parents, they won't be home until tomorrow.
[Tomorrow will inevitably turn into the next day, and then next week, and then he'll be receiving a call that the kind old lady next door will be checking in on him for a few days over the next week. He will not be surprised by this at all.]
Yu is upstairs right now, tidying a bit as he waits to hear from his parents. He's around ten, maybe, and the parts of the house that belong to him are fairly sparse, with little personality and virtually no decoration. Utilitarian objects, things that are useful, are most prevalent; clearly, this house doesn't get a lot of use -- and it can't exactly be called home. Yu hastily picks up the small alarm clock that clattered to the floor, replaces it on the nightstand, and then puts away his duster before padding down the stairs in his house slippers.]
It's just me. [Said with little to no caution or trepidation. He looks at Charles curiously, but mildly.]
... If you're looking for my parents, they won't be home until tomorrow.
[Tomorrow will inevitably turn into the next day, and then next week, and then he'll be receiving a call that the kind old lady next door will be checking in on him for a few days over the next week. He will not be surprised by this at all.]
[You wake up in a courtroom. You’re not really sure how you got here, just that you’re here. There’s Jerry, sitting at the judges box. For some he might be new, and others he might be familiar or semi-familiar. He scrutinizes you, and then motions to the jury box. There’s a plaque that’s sitting on the outside that says “Council”, but there’s no one sitting there. Everything looks clean and maintained, but there’s no one in the courtroom but you and Jerry.
Weird.]
You are charged with assaulting a police officer.
[There’s something about his expression that makes you think that he might’ve already made up his mind…]
The Council has found you Guilty of this. In order to repent and further your rehabilitation, you have been tasked to show remorse for your crime by learning if the ends truly justify the means. You must find and converse with others with a different moral compass than you, to figure this out. If there is no action taken, there will be consequences.
[You wake up back in your bed. You remember everything – Jerry, the jury box, the words he spoke to you. Maybe you remember the words he spoke more vividly than anything else.
However you decide to proceed… there will be consequences.]
[ooc: you have until March 9th to submit your Sentencing HERE Even if your character doesn’t proceed with the Sentencing, you must comment on the NPC inbox for your penalty.
Also, there are effects for ignoring this Sentencing. The longer that Yu takes to complete his Sentencing, the more black and white his opinions may become on crime and everyday things, if pushed far enough. He may even use violent force if pushed far enough, in the name of justice. If you have any questions about Sentencing, please direct it to the Mod Contact post.]
Weird.]
You are charged with assaulting a police officer.
[There’s something about his expression that makes you think that he might’ve already made up his mind…]
The Council has found you Guilty of this. In order to repent and further your rehabilitation, you have been tasked to show remorse for your crime by learning if the ends truly justify the means. You must find and converse with others with a different moral compass than you, to figure this out. If there is no action taken, there will be consequences.
[You wake up back in your bed. You remember everything – Jerry, the jury box, the words he spoke to you. Maybe you remember the words he spoke more vividly than anything else.
However you decide to proceed… there will be consequences.]
[ooc: you have until March 9th to submit your Sentencing HERE Even if your character doesn’t proceed with the Sentencing, you must comment on the NPC inbox for your penalty.
Also, there are effects for ignoring this Sentencing. The longer that Yu takes to complete his Sentencing, the more black and white his opinions may become on crime and everyday things, if pushed far enough. He may even use violent force if pushed far enough, in the name of justice. If you have any questions about Sentencing, please direct it to the Mod Contact post.]
[Not very long after this clown car of a conversation:]
Minato and I are coming over! You're at the inn, right?
Minato and I are coming over! You're at the inn, right?
[ so, he really, really should have checked up on yu before this. but though they're friends, he felt... weird, like sympathy coming from someone not experiencing that same loss would simply feel unwelcome, unfair, and so he never reached out.
until now, because if scott is gone, too, who's to say this isn't something happening to all those who have been here the longest, one by one? perhaps it would be kotone next ... or yu. and if that was the case, charles would never forgive himself for not talking to him.
so, he sends a message, ]
Hey there, mate. So... if I show up at yours, will you let me in? Or you could join me at the farm. Today's my volunteering day.
until now, because if scott is gone, too, who's to say this isn't something happening to all those who have been here the longest, one by one? perhaps it would be kotone next ... or yu. and if that was the case, charles would never forgive himself for not talking to him.
so, he sends a message, ]
Hey there, mate. So... if I show up at yours, will you let me in? Or you could join me at the farm. Today's my volunteering day.
[...
He's let go of a lot of things, in a comparatively short period of time. The dojo, the house, social situations, some of his work hours... The farm is among those things, too. When Charles mentions it, he flinches, a pang of guilt working its way through him. It's probably silly to feel bad; strays can certainly fend for themselves. But still.]
I...could meet you at the farm. [His voice is soft. Thoughtful. It's not that he'd refuse to see Charles at home, far from it. But the inn is... it's a big change. He could use some time elsewhere.]
He's let go of a lot of things, in a comparatively short period of time. The dojo, the house, social situations, some of his work hours... The farm is among those things, too. When Charles mentions it, he flinches, a pang of guilt working its way through him. It's probably silly to feel bad; strays can certainly fend for themselves. But still.]
I...could meet you at the farm. [His voice is soft. Thoughtful. It's not that he'd refuse to see Charles at home, far from it. But the inn is... it's a big change. He could use some time elsewhere.]
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