stillarhino | inbox & overflow

[Ema was 100% about to leave a voicemail until she heard it and then she immediately hung up and sent a text. How dare this child imply that she's old without even knowing that he's calling her that?]

Hey kid did the sharktopus thing kill you? You up for some adventuring?

Sharktopus? The hell's that supposed to be?

[Yeah, no he got stuck on that first.]

Edited 2022-08-02 05:20 (UTC)

You haven't heard about it? It's exactly what it sounds like.

Edited (did we edit the same thing) 2022-08-02 05:48 (UTC)

damn yo this place wack
whatchu saying about adventuring?

That's one word for it.
So I thought I saw some weird bird thing out by the caves and I need someone who doesn't mind getting tossed around a bit to help me out.

aint been to the caves yet
why u checking it out if its just a bird

Edited 2022-08-02 18:06 (UTC)

Because it looks like a different bird. Like it had wings but it didn't have a bird head.

Edited 2022-08-02 18:14 (UTC)

sounds like we gotta check it out before it causes trouble
aight im down
when u wanna do this

Yeah that's 100% what I was thinking too.

[Except it's a little more self serving than that. But the trouble thing is a thing too.]

I'll have to get a couple of things ready if we're going up into a cave. Maybe in a couple of days or so? Do you have a dreamotion yet?

need me to prep anything
can help with that too
i got something going
aint much but we got fire on our side

If you can get a flashlight/torch and some rope that might be handy. Maybe a net? But that fire will be handy.

[What the hell do you need to go bird catching? She's a forensic scientist/detective without dreamotion not an explorer.]

flashlight rope and net, got it
hows about we meet at the fountain for we set out

Sounds good to me.
Oh and snacks. You never know when you'll need snacks.

Edited 2022-08-02 18:56 (UTC)

[Oh Ema, you're speaking his language.]

hell yeah i can bring snacks
imma be sure to bring a lotta them

Good the last thing we'd want to do is be stuck up there without food.

[She doesn't think you can die here, but honestly dying of hunger sounds like an awful way to go.]

Unless you know how to gut and skin wild animals.

yo u think that kinda thing is gonna be needed where we going

[Which is his was of saying hell nah.]

I sure hope not. But who knows. You have to be prepared for anything.

[She's mostly doing this just to mess with him because she sure as hell isn't outdoorsy.]

Izzat what the knife and ropes for
Thought they were gonna be for something else

[What that something else might've been, he's not really sure.]

No they're for the bird thing. We obviously might have to capture this thing and bring it back with us. Or restrain it. Or something.

[That's how this exploring thing works right?]

Edited (not a chicken what's meta gaming) 2022-08-07 06:06 (UTC)

aight so we basically hunting this thing down
yo i dunno about you but i pumped to see whatever it is now

Edited 2022-08-07 06:58 (UTC)

I figured you would. I'll see you in a couple of days.

yo im by the fountain
where you at?

Edited 2022-08-07 14:20 (UTC)

I'm omw I have a lot of stuff in my hands!

[ some number of days after the lot of them confront Eustace's noctaere form, Ori sends Beat a message. She would have done so sooner, but... if she's to be honest, she's needed her own time and space to process everything, which has involved a lot of strongly encouraged bedrest with some frantic foraging and potion-brewing when energy allows.

But she doesn't let herself forget to see how the young man is doing. Especially knowing that he'd gotten injured during the fight... an incident which she surely blames on herself. ]

Hello Beat,

I hope you are recovering somewhat smoothly... Now that you know where my house is, please don't hesitate to visit if you need any additional healing...

By the way, where is your house? I'd like to drop by with a few things for you, if you would be okay with that.

Ori

[Beat himself had been lying low for a couple of days after the events at the cliffside. That in itself was unusual, considering how loud and full of energy he usually is. But after the adrenaline had worn off, he found himself tired and lethargic for reasons he couldn't explain. Was it because of how exposed he had been to the nightmare energy both in the cave and out by the lake?

It surprises him at first when he receives a message from Ori, but a small smile eventually makes its way onto his lips as he begins to write back.]

yo ori im doing aight
yeah im cool with it
you coming by soon?

[He proceeds to give her the directions to his place, found on the east side of the residential district.]

Yes, I will be there soon!

[ And that's all she says, in writing, before she sets off. It doesn't take her very long to reach the east side of the residential district where Beat's treehouse is; once she quickly checks back in the pages of her journal to make sure she's at the right place, she knocks quietly on the door. ]

Hey, there... It's Ori.

[ And whenever Beat answers the door, she'll be there with a basket full of healing potions on her arm. ]

[It's not hard to find Beat's place with the instructions he gave, and the wooden plaque shaped like a skull hanging by the side of his door, with his name spelled out on either side of the skull.

It takes Beat a little longer than usual to answer the door. Ori will hear a little bit of shuffling inside and a loud THUD. A string of curses follows immediately after. Finally the door opens with a click. Beat stands right behind it, scratching the back of his head while looking sheepishly at Ori. It's probably the most dressed down she's seen him, in a sleeveless shirt and sweatpants.]

Yo, sorry 'bout the mess. Tried to clean up but... [He really tried.] Wanna come in?

[When she does, she will find that he's moved around a few things so the place would at least look presentable, though the nearby cabinet looks like it's about to burst open. There's also a jacket on the floor that seems to have been hastily kicked aside.]

[ She has half a mind to kick the door down when she hears the shuffling and especially so when she hears that loud thud. What if he’s still in pain and fell over, or worse— still struggling with any lingering nightmare energy?!

As such, whenever he does finally get around to opening the door, Ori has a panicked look on her face, which relaxes just a little bit when she sees that he is, in fact, in one piece. ]

O-Oh. Don’t worry about that, Beat. Are you… Okay?

[ Still, she comes in and places her basket of potions atop the nearest free surface, and while she does notice the state of disarray that his place is in… she can hardly fault him for it. Gods know that she would be prone to leaving her own home in such a way, if not for the fact that she lives with someone else… ]

Huh? Yeah I'm aight. Jus'... [His gaze strays over to the discarded hoodie on the floor.] Jus' kinda wiped out is all. Ain't no biggie.

[He doesn't look to be hurt by the fall, but it's also easy to see most of where he had gotten hurt that night. The bruising around his neck and collarbone from when Eustace had tried to choke him had mostly subsided, and the wound on his arm from the bite seemed to be healing albeit slowly if the scabbing was any indication of that. Any other stray scratches and bruises seemed to have mostly healed since.]

Sorry, I kinda been MIA. Thought about checkin' up on ya too, but...

[But I felt like shit that I wasn't able to help out more? But I didn't know what to say to you after everything that happened? There were so many many ways he could finish that sentence, but none of them felt right. Each one of them felt like an excuse for not reaching out earlier.]

How you been doin'?

Edited 2022-09-13 03:11 (UTC)

[ There are a lot of blank spots in what he’s said that take a second for Oriphi to parse; most of it, she can surmise, but… All in all, she gets the idea, and more importantly it’s his subdued demeanor conveys most of what Ori needs to know in this moment. That, and the bruising and scabbing that she can see on him.

At length, she shakes her head at him. ]

There’s no need to apologize for that. I know we all need our own time and our own space to process everything. I’m a healer, though, so of course I want to check on everyone.

[ Which is also her avoiding his question entirely. While she’s here, he doesn’t need to use the health potions and can use them for another time, or gods forbid another ordeal like the one they’d just gone through. ]

I can heal you up some more, if you’d like… It’ll speed up the process a bit.

[Even if he still felt like he could've been a bit more present, he doesn't fight her once in that regard.

She was right in that he needed time too, there were still nights when he couldn't bring himself to back to sleep, plagued by image of everyone scattered across the snowy cavern floor. He would replay the events of that night, over and over in his head. And now that she was here, he can't help but think about how Ori had gotten between him and Eustace early on into their engagement with him.

But he tries to shake the thought away.]

You sure you's a healer? 'Cause you was helluva beast back there, yo.

[His tone is teasing, and there's a bit more semblance of his usual demeanor when he talks. If anything, he's able to say that with a bit of a chuckle that accompanies his smile.]

[ Ori merely blinks at him for a second, again; it’s probably rude of her to have this sort of moment pretty much every time Beat says something, but at least this time it’s because… Well, she honestly hadn’t been expecting a comment like that. It’s… Nice of him to say? She thinks?

In the end, she huffs a laugh, light and airy, and it’s as if she’s able to breathe a little easier as she expels some of that stress with the laughter. ]

That’s— Thanks, Beat. You’re talking about the fact that I was a Dire Wolf, right?

[ Still smiling, she shakes her head. ]

That form is normally a lot sturdier, but… I wasn’t anticipating how much the nightmare energy would take out of me. I’m sorry about that.

[ Really, that’s only one of the many things she’s sorry about, but she can start with that one. ]

[As soon as he realized that Ori had misunderstood what he meant, he shook his head, still wanting to be absolutely straight with her.]

Sure, that wolf you turned into was really somethin'. But I'm just talkin' 'bout you, yo. You was fire back there.

[While fighting alongside her, he could see what she was able to do. How she was able to move and how she had tried to protect him. More than a couple of times, in fact.]

You did loads to keep Wolfie on ya an' away with. [In spite of her reasoning about the nightmare energy that they all felt back there, she willingly put herself in front of Eustace in the state he was in. That alone stood out to him.] That takes guts. With or without the nightmare energy messin' 'round with everything else.

We ain't seen each other since but lemme leas' say thanks, yo.

[ First “cool,” now “fire…” Is there no end to the madness of his lingo…!

This time, at least, she picks up on how he means the words by context. And ultimately, it’s all less important than the sentiment he’s expressing, that gratitude or what she did when they fought side-by-side. ]

I… Um, you’re welcome.

[ She says it, despite the fact that she doesn’t feel like she deserves that thanks. ]

And thank you, too. You fought so valiantly - and you were so fast, I could hardly keep track of where you were!

Heh, had to keep Wolfie busy, you know?

[Even without his psychic abilities, Beat had always been fast due to his restlessness. He knew that tapping into it here, especially during that fight had given him an extra edge.

But it wasn't enough to get back in time to help everyone. Not fast enough to get away from Eustace that Ori had to get between them. Because of that, he too didn't feel like be should be thanked.

His eyes unconsciously stray to where the bite would've been, had she been in her original form. He'd seen a glimpse of it at her home and he did his best to avert his gaze then. This time, he couldn't help himself.

A crease begins to form on his forehead as a frown pulls on the sides of his lips.]

Kinda wish I coulda done more. So you wouldn'ta gotten hurt. [He pauses.] So y'all wouldn'ta gotten wrecked.

Edited (I wanted to add more) 2022-10-04 20:07 (UTC)

[ That Beat glances over to a very specific spot in Ori’s side doesn’t escape the tiefling. She can hazard a guess as to why it is he’s chosen that particular place to look, and in turn she shifts her weight from one leg to another and folds her arms contemplatively. ]

Looking back at everything now, I think… Getting hurt was unavoidable. I think we dreamwalkers as a whole are still trying to figure out how to deal with noctaere…

[ She closes her eyes, and draws in a deep breath in and out. ]

I think we all fought well that night. We can’t help what we didn’t know. But… We can all promise to do better if this happens again. Hopefully it doesn’t. And if anything… The others and I should have done more. So that you and Susato wouldn’t have had to face such things…

[ They’re so young, after all. She doesn’t know Beat very well, but she can tell from the way he’d handled himself in battle that he’s had some experience. Still, she wishes neither of them would have had to fight, that night. They should be worried about far less dire things in their lives at such an age. ]

[When Ori shifts, Beat notices this and is quick to look elsewhere, hand reaching to rub at his other arm, a little embarrassed to have been caught staring. He doesn't mean to, after all. He hadn't seen her after he had gotten back so it was the injury that she took for him that remained etched in his mind.]

If all a' 'em are like that, sounds like somethin' we all gotta learn to deal with y'know?

[If only it were that simple. Having experienced something like that made him keenly aware of the effects of dealing with a noctaere firsthand now.

He continues to let Ori talk, even if he wants to interrupt her mid-way, but there's a sudden shift in his expression as she finishes. While he is inclined to agree that he should do better, as they all should, to prevent things from happening again, something Ori says sticks out.

The crease on his forehead deepens as his brows knit closer together and the tone of his voice suddenly borders that of a growl.]

Yo, hold up! Why you gotta single out me and Loops? Why's it just me and her who don't gotta deal with that stuff and not all y'all?

[ Once she’s finished her piece, her eyes flutter open once more to find a very different expression across Beat’s features. Her eyebrows hitch up all the more when he responds in a tone that’s just as different; clearly, something she’s said has struck a chord with him, and she draws in a sharp breath in anticipation for… well, for exchanging cross words.

Because what he says pulls her lips into a frown and, mirroring him, her brows knit together as well. Her voice, however, stays surprisingly level, drawing on an endless well of patience that she seems to have. ]

Because you’re both so young. Susato, especially. Don’t mistake me, Beat, I respect and admire that you were able to fight so well and bravely that night, but—

You two shouldn’t have had to… We should have been able to protect you both and keep you safe.

[Unlike Ori, Beat did not have the kind of patience and level-headedness she seemed to have. What she said rubbed him the wrong way and he was sure as hell going to make sure she knew that.]

I ain't mistakin' nothing! It ain't about bein' brave, or how I was fightin', or nothin', yo!

[At this point, Beat's fists clench tightly, and he holds one of them up in the air. He has no intention of hurting Ori, but he takes a step towards her, towering above her as he maintains eye contact between them. He grits his teeth and lets out a sharp breath, seething with anger, the look on his face intensifying as he speaks again.]

It don't matter that we're younger than the rest of you! I went out there 'cause wanted to help Wolfie and Teef out, aight? And I'm sure as hell that Loops wanted to do the same!

We coulda turned tail but we didn't. 'Cause we wanted to be there. For Wolfie, for Teef, and even for all y'all who was out there with us!

[ The logical thing to do would be to message him first, to try and figure out where they could meet, but Aerith's making it a point to be out of the house today. She wants to see everyone she can, and there's one voice she just knows she needs to hear. ]

Heya. [ She finds him wherever she can, perhaps by chance, but it is her intention to find Beat. When she does, she's dressed in her pink dress and red jacket, which he hasn't had a chance to see her in. They met while she was wearing the blue pinafore for Dorothy's costume, and then she had been wearing a top and skirt the night of the... incident. ]

Miss me? [ She's smiling, holding out a basket of apples for him to take. It's more than one person needs, but she wasn't sure if he would want something else. For a woman who had been pinned own like a specimen for inspection days ago, she's up and moving and surprisingly cheerful. She tilts her head, still beaming. ]

This is for you. I picked them, they're very fresh. Take 'em.

[Beat hadn't seen Aerith since the night of the incident. It wasn't that he was avoiding her either, but it was only recently that he'd gotten back to leaving his home more regularly.

She finds him sitting on a bench by the plaza, his leg propped up on the seat. A notebook decorated with stickers lies open, pressed up against his leg, a half-done sketch drawn on the visible page. He looks mostly the same as that night at the cliffside, albeit in a different black hoodie. Though Beat didn't have his headphones, it didn't seem like he heard Aerith walk up.]

Hey.

[He looks up to her when she greets him and he can't help but stare at her for a moment. There were times at night when he would still see the image of her hanging up against that pillar in the cavern, and a pang of helplessness shot through him again. It was the same feeling he had felt that night after returning from searching for the necklace.

But he shakes his head, jarring himself back to the present... Should she be moving around like that already? Beat reaches for the basket, his eyes growing large upon realizing just how many apples were in here.]

These all seriously for me?

[ It's on the tip of her tongue to comment that he looks like he's seen a ghost. He's not Eustace, however, so she's not going to be that mean, instead, she just lets go of the basket and then settles onto the bench next to him, shoulder to shoulder. People watching seems like a good way to pass the time, but that's clearly not what he was doing. She looks, nosy as always, and then her gaze flits back up to Beat's face. ]

Yep, all for you. It's thanks, y'know, for everything.

[ She's sure it was hard, still, coming back to all that carnage. She's almost thankful she wasn't awake to see the reactions; Eustace is already being put through the wringer, she's sure. ]

I was thinking today... I had to get out and see people. So, tell me something. What have you been up to?

[ Just keep talking, Beat. That's all she wants. ]

[Before he knows it, Aerith has already sat by his side. He isn't bothered by her immediate closeness to him, but the frown that appears on his face might tell her otherwise.]

Thanks? But I didn't really do much, yo.

[This wasn't the first time that he felt useless around Aerith, the first time being when he was still mostly straw then flesh and blood, then again on the night at the cliffs. If only he and Phantom had been faster, if only he hadn't hallucinated whatever it was he saw back then, maybe they could've prevented everyone else from getting hurt. After everything he saw, it was hard not to beat himself up over it. Compared to what they went through, he felt that his own injuries paled in comparison.]

I guess I've been tryin' to keep my mind off a' that night. Workin' on getting a skateboard together an' designing decks for 'em.

[His gaze falls onto the page he was working on: a large shadowy figure with a long snout and its fur standing on end. Only those who were there that night would know exactly what he had drawn.]

[ The frown definitely leaves her curious, but more than anything, she thinks it's hiding way more than it seems. Leaning forward, she looks up at him, long braid spilling out and over her shoulder. ]

But you did.

[ Aerith speaks animatedly as she challenges him, expression sincere. ] Without you and Phantom, I think we would have all been toast.

[ The skateboard thing is noted, of course. Her gaze lingers on the page for a moment, staying there for what feels like hours. She breathes even and slow, relaxed for someone who went through it all, too, relaxed for someone who could have easily died. Maybe she'll ask around; he deserves a little pick-me-up. ]

You know—

[ How does she say this? Plainly, she supposes. Aerith has never hid her emotions. ]

I'm glad. That you were there.

[It's hard to avoid her gaze when she leans forward to meet his, and he can't deny the honesty in her voice either.

Beat scoffs lightly at that, looking away from her as a faint redness begins coloring his cheeks. It wasn't often that he got any kind of validation, especially from people who were older than him.]

Thanks, I guess.

[He rubs the back of his neck feeling a little sheepish about what Aerith had said.]

I jus' feel like I coulda helped more if I stayed you know? I think Kitty Boy woulda gotten the necklace an' made it back aight without me.

[ If that's the most he can muster right now, she'll let it happen. Smiling, she settles back in, satisfied by that much alone. ]

Maybe.

[ It's hard to say. Aerith won't deny him this, treating his concerns and thoughts with the gravity they deserve. There's no sense arguing against or for what he says, you see. They could go in circles. ] Who's to say? Nobody blames you, you know. How could any of us? You came back. That's all that matters.

Didn't think they did.

[And that was the truth. No one has said anything about them blaming him for doing what he did, but a part of him still blamed himself for not being able to help the others. The only one who probably thought that was was himself. The nightmare he had soon after only helped accentuate that feeling of inadequacy he'd already been fighting with even more.]

Seein' everyone so messed up after jus'... really stuck with me I guess.

[He had his head lowered as he spoke, but he peeks out from behind the fringe of his hair to look back at Aerith. She was the only one he had seen up close, making it so the image of her remained so vividly in his mind. He hadn't known what to do then, but knowing that Eustace had done that, even if he wasn't in the right mind, made Beat's blood boil at the moment.]

Jus' wish I coulda done more for y'all, you know?

[ Letting him speak is hard for her. The truth is, she understands well. There is a throbbing sense of uselessness that ebbs and flows without warning inside of her, the sensation that she did poorly by the group or even damned them. They had staved Eustace off for Phantom and Beat’s arrival, but they had lived seeing the damage and knew the pain of picking up the pieces. She looks down at her body, whole now, and thinks about the ring-shaped scar where Eustace had stabbed her. Beat had seen that in her— idly, she wonders if she comes up in his nightmares now.

Aerith shakes her head. ]

I know.

[ For a long moment, she says nothing. The fountain rushes water and she thinks about her dream, of falling backwards into the water, into the flower, watching Tifa’s smile grow smaller and smaller. Had that Tifa pushed her into the water? She can’t remember now. She thinks the real one would have hesitated, though, and so her gaze falls onto the brick pathway that’s been splattered with fountain water and she holds her tongue. The moment passes. Her thoughts don’t. ]

What would you have done?

Edited 2022-09-17 03:28 (UTC)

[The silence that follows is deafening and Beat shifts in his seat, idly working on the sketch once again. He wants to say something to break the tension but he doesn't know how to fill the dead air between them either.

When he does open his mouth, Aerith poses him with the question, and he finds his staring at her with his mouth wide open.]

...I—

[Would be have gone faster? Would he have opted to stay to help distract Eustace where he could? Would that have even made a difference?

He hadn't spoken to anyone about what had happened at the cliffs, at least not yet. Phantom had gotten a glimpse of the nightmare energy taking a hold of him, giving him hallucinations. If he had been just a little strong, less susceptible to what he had seen, maybe the situation back in the wouldn't have become as dire as they had found it.

His closes his mouth and presses his lips together into a thin line before he opens them once more.]

Probably woulda tried to get back faster... and not get distracted by other shit. [Maybe distracted wasn't the right word to use but that's what he felt happened.] I mean, least I could done was something 'sides tellin' Idris to watch over ya.

Beat! Hello? Anyone home?

Do you still wanna eat hotpot? I've settled in well enough so it might be a good time for that.

yo shirou
hell yeah im down for some hotpot
when you making it?

Whenever you want. Just come with an empty stomach or else it'll be a waste.

hows lunch sound?
just got back from walking wolfies dogs so im jonesing for hot meal

Lunch sounds good. Who the hell is wolfie?

Sorry I don't think we're on the same page.

[ It's such a weird nickname that Shirou immediately pauses in his tracks. ]

the tall guy with dog ears
hes got white hair some of it covering his eye
got more dogs than he probably should have and can turn into a wolf too
thats wolfie

[ You know what? He wants to laugh but that hardly seems appropriate, so instead Shirou just makes an awkward face while keeping his own reactions in. He imagines Eustace so that's why it looks like he's about to burst out laughing.

I've met wolfie before, alright. At first I thought he was messing with me and he had fake ears but turns out he's really a wolf.

[ An accurate nickname. ]

Edited (BROKEN HTML BRO ) 2022-10-04 21:28 (UTC)

[Okay, this time it's Beat who lets out a snort and he doesn't make any effort to try to stifle or hide it, even if it's not something Shirou could see over the journals.]

naw yo you right!
coulda been cosplay ears or something
aint thought of that one before

He got pissed off at me when I pointed that out and turns out it's not cosplay at all.

I've seen people dress up for festivals and look equally ridiculous.

Yeah, I'm used to seeing that 'round home too. Even jus' on the streets, you know.

I get why he'd be pissed 'bout that. Saw him as a wolf when we first met so I knew his ears wasn't for show or nothin'.

Edited 2022-10-09 07:24 (UTC)

Whoa, that nickname was earned. If he has a nickname like Wolfie it's his own fault.

He seemed down last time I saw him so I told him to knock it off and give himself some breathing room. He's dealing with a lot.

[Reading that gives Beat a bit of pause. If Eustace was done for the reason he thinks he was, then he knows and understands exactly why he was acting that way.]

you probably right about him dealing with a lot
cant really blame him though cause of what happened to him

You seemed to be dealing with a lot too.

Don't push yourself too hard, alright?

[Has it been that obvious? He'd mostly gotten over the slump by this time, but he still tries to play it off as if it never happened. Can't have others worrying about him too much.]

me? nah you was probably just imagining that
im hella good yo
specially now that you making some hot pot
u know imma lick the bowl clean for that right?

Just a single bowl? There's no need to hold back so much.

I knew people back home who would end up eating four servings or more when they were given free meals.

hell naw imma go back for more than seconds or thirds yo
you said empty stomach and imma make sure of that when i swing by

If you didn't eat more I'd be worried you were sick or something.

You seem to have an appetite at least.

you got that right
just get the hot pot ready and imma do my worst got it?

[Beatrix, being of archaic times and just in general, not a fan of the journal system, rarely makes use of it. More oft than not, she'd rather leave a hand-written missive. Given she doesn't actually know where Beat lives, however, that's a bit out of the realm of possibility.

Regardless, there is no time like the present to check on him. Never mind that it's been over a month since the rubbish with Noctaere Eustace occurred.]

Beat,

I had wished to enquire on your status. I understand it has been some time since we all have seen one another, but it seemed prudent. I am still following up with the others as well.

- Beatrix

[Of everyone who had been there that night, Beat had interacted with Beatrix the least. He had helped her back up after Eustace seemed to have snapped out of it, but that was the end of it. In fact, it took him a while to piece together who Beatrix even was, only having heard her name being called out by the others when they were at Ori's place.

He only writes back when he remembers who she was and what he looked like.]

yo patch im doing aight
you right about it being a bit
hows about you? you holding up okay

[What. No, really. WHAT. Did he just—
Beatrix practically seethes. What an inconsiderate thing to draw attention to. Everyone else is wise enough to not even address it.]

Beatrix. [She corrects him.] I have been fine and attempting to reach out to all of you when time permits me to. You were the next. I still have others to check on after you as well.

You are the one who roused me, is that correct?

[The eyepatch was something that stood out to him, thus the nickname. But it sounds like she doesn't really appreciate that.]

aight aight dont get your panties in a bunch [Looks like he'll just have to think up another one.]

yeah that was me
you was pretty banged up when i got to ya

[She really doesn't appreciate that. The only saving him is the fact that he saved her. She'll consider that debt repaid now.

...Maybe.

He has no idea how to talk to a woman, it seems. What a rude young man. Dante would love him. So would Zidane, for that matter.]

So it would seem. Eustace in that state at the time was a formidable opponent.

I appreciate your intervention. And that of your companion.

[Phantom, she means.]

[He'd seen the damage Eustace had done. In the aftermath of the battle after he and Phantom had left, the image of everyone stuck with him for longer than he would like to admit. There were times he still wished he could have done more but the others have reminded him that he'd done his best considering the circumstances.]

heh me and kitty boy hauled ass to get there
but naw you right wolfie was still pretty outta it when i found him
he kept tellin me to stay back when i got to him

I am not at all surprised to hear that, all things considered. It is very likely he did not wish to hurt anyone else any further.

[Although she assumes Eustace had never wanted to hurt anyone to begin with.]

It is good you arrived when you did. Had you been any later, I do not like thinking of what may have happened. Thank you for all that you did. For all of us, in addition to myself.

thats what he was saying before i knocked him out
teef handled the rest when he calmed down

[A part of him still didn't feel like he deserved much thanks, but since talking to the others, he knows that he did his best given the circumstances. It's not like he knows how to do things any other way after all.]

nah its no biggie
just doing what i hadta back then

['Teef' must be 'Tifa.' It's a simple enough deduction. Evidently Beat just has pet names for everyone.]

You may not have seen it as particularly important, but I do assure you it most certainly was.

Have you gone to pay either of them visit since the ordeal? If not, you ought to do so. I imagine they would like to see you. Eustace may have a difficult time expressing himself, but I suspect he actually cares for all of us quite a bit.

[...There's irony in her for saying this.]

yeah me and wolfie met up a while back

[He'd seen Tifa too but that was in a dream... Dreamscrape? What was it called again? He wasn't sure if that counted.]

been walking some of the dogs for him for a little bit now
knew there was a lotta them but like not that much you know?

Every time I think Eustace cannot possibly have more dogs, somehow he manages to get even more. I doubt that I have met them all.

[Which means there's probably more than she's even aware of.]

Given how many there are, however, I suspect that Eustace and Tifa not having to walk them all is likely for the best. Giving them time to focus on more important things. Recovery and their wedding.

DAMN YOU RIGHT YO
thats coming up aint it?
i totally forgot about it

[There's only so many things Beat can keep track of and, clearly, that amount not a lot.]

yo i gotta walk more of them dogs so they dont gotta think about that too

[Really? He forgot about it? How did he forget that.]

I am not certain of the date they wish to have it, but I suspect better sooner than later. When one knows what one wants, it is better to not procrastinate on it too much.

[The heart wants what the heart wants.]

I suspect if you simply continue to offer your assistance to them with the dogs, or with anything else, they will likely appreciate it. It will grant them the time needed to focus on the things they need to.

yeah wasn't gonna stop that even if they wasnt gonna have no wedding
but yous right about them needing to focus on all that
i mean thats probably enough to keep wolfie from freaking out again
ya feel me?

[It's been enough time that Beat is able to make a joke about the situation they'd found themselves in a few months back. What had happened back then may have been serious but it seems like his sense of humor is intact despite it.]

[That's one hell of a way to put it, but she couldn't really agree more.]

I think as long as Eustace is reminded that he is not facing these things alone, that he has others who care about him and will assist, there will likely not be a repeat of what we encountered in the cave.

[There's a long pause. That's optimistic thinking of her. She still isn't really sure how it happened to begin with. She doesn't know what set Eustace off, which tells her that for all of their similarities, she doesn't know him as well as she ought to.]

Unless you know something I do not.

if he forgets imma just smack him in the head with something bigger than his gun

[Because clearly, that seemed to have helped last time, not that Beatrix was conscious enough to see that. The way he wrote that back may have been a little too quick though, as if he was almost excited for the chance to do it again.]

i dunno if i know more than you lady
wolfie aint really budging when we got to talking
but i think he knows that we around
that we sticking around even if he went all batshit on us

[She's inclined to wish him luck with that one. Eustace requires more than a few hits to get the message sometimes, she thinks.]

I agree. Eustace is a proud man and likely does not wish to ask things of us if he need not do so. It may do his heart and his spirit some good to have the reminder that even if he wishes not to pursue it, to ask of us assistance, it is available to him regardless.

Such is the nature of close friendships.

[Beat can sympathize with what she says about Eustace. He's the same way, not wanting to ask for help right away if it was something he felt he can do on his own. It took him a while to open up to his friends too originally back home, but they meant the world to him afterward. Without them around, he knew he had to try to do the same with the people around him in this dream world.]

aint all that easy to do that all the time too i guess
we just gotta keep at it if he needs us
heh sounds like you know wolfie pretty well dontcha patch?

[He's already slipped back into the nickname, seemingly forgetting the reprimand only moments ago.]

[Beatrix.

She wants to correct him again, but refrains. If he starts making a habit of it, however, she’ll reconsider it.]

I would say it is more that Eustace and I have things in common. It gives me an advantage in deducing what I know of him and his behaviour. To say I know him ‘well,’ however, I would not necessarily agree. He would likely say the same if one were to reverse our roles.

[They are merely alike. In the end, she can only make conjecture over him as she would with any other.]

aint you known him for a long time though?
figured you two knew each other pretty good cause of that

Length of time does not imply familiarity, Beat. Neither Eustace nor I are the types to say much about ourselves. I have, from time to time, pried about information on him, though I do not feel I need to know much. On the contrary, I may be more comfortable with him because we do not know much about one another.

[Man, did he wish he had stickers to help convey the confusion he felt from that statement. Being comfortable with each other because they didn't know much? How does that even work?]

huh you and wolfie make for hella weird friends yo
i dont get it but if you each others backs guess thats more than enough for me

[She's certain it would sound weird to her as well if she wasn't directly involved. Whatever it is between her and Eustace, it works. To her, that's all that matters.]

I assure you that we do. As much as we both have yours, Beat.

right back at ya patch

[The nickname is here to stay. Sorry, Beatrix]

[Somewhere, Beatrix is angrily tearing pages out of her journal.

SHE HAS A NAME.

SHE IS NOT A PATCH.

She's gonna kill this kid.]

[ sometime during the night of the bachelor party... ]

Hello, Beat!

I hope you are enjoying yourself at the bachelor party! Is everything going well?

[It's more than a few minutes before Ori gets a reply. While Beat's handwriting has always been a bit messy, his writing right now is nearly illegible.]

YOOO ORIIII
WE DOING GOOD YO

[ the all caps!? has she ever even received a message like this before!? this must be very important!! ]

I'm glad to hear that!

My understanding is that it has ended up being much larger of a party than originally intended so please let me know if any assistance is needed! I can try to send an animal over with additional supplies or something!

I don't want Eustace or Trahearne to get too stressed, so I am counting on you as well.

AINT NO BIGGIE
THEY GOOD
WES GOOD

YO YOU GOOD TOO ORI
TELL ME YOUS GOOD TOO

[ ??? ]

Yes. I am good! I think?

[ technically her alignment is neutral but ]

What is biggie?

[...]

YOU KNOW
THE ONE THAT IT AINT

[Nailed it.]

[ ??? ]

I see...

What does it mean when you are writing with your letters all capitalized?

IM DOING WHAT

[A pause. Then a reply that seems to be written larger than before? Maybe?]

SHIT NO
YOUS RIGHT
MY BAD

[No explanation is offered.]

[ oh no. the letters look so alarmingly large in her cute little journal!! ]

What's going on? Are you sure you're alright?

I SAID WE GOOD YO
WOULDA SAID IF WE AINT
WHICH WE AINT
WE AINT AINT
YEAAAAAH THATS IT

OH... ALRIGHT

[ somehow she thinks maybe the communication will improve if she also starts to write with full capitalization. ]

PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU DRINK LOTS OF WATER AND COME SEE ME TOMORROW MORNING WHEN YOU ALL RETURN TO TOWN

[ there will be a lesser restoration spell waiting with Beat's name all over it. ]

[There is some time before the next reply is sent. And it seems like his handwriting has gotten even worse, almost as if it was chicken scratch.

And it seems like he's back to writing in lowercase once again, though the indentation of the writing appears lighter than usual.]

whaaat
nah nah we aight here we good
trees got me
aint that right tree

[Tree? Does he mean the trees out by the campsite? Or maybe it's shorthand for something else. Or someone else.]

[ t...rees....?? oh. oh no. he means trahearne, doesn't he... if not for the fact that she is also messaging the sylvari, she might have never realized who he means. ]

I see... If Trahearne is trying to rest or relax... Diluc is there, too. Do you remember him? He was there when I teleported us all back to my home that night. He's tall and has long, red hair. You can ask him for help too.

[ he's used to taking care of drunk people ]

diluc? diluc diluc diluc

[A few inkblots appear on the page, probably from how Beat taps the nib against the paper as he thinks. Doesn't help that he's only seen the guy once.]

But it seems like he connects the dots once he begins scrawling on the paper again.]

OH YOU TALKING ABOUT KETCHUP?

[Looks like we're writing in capitals again.]

[ if only Beat could see the face that Ori was making at her journal upon realizing that A) we are indeed back to capitals and B) 'Ketchup' is his nickname for Diluc... ]

Yes... That's him...

YEAH YEAH YEAH
IMMA KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR HIM
MAYBE HES GOT MORE BOOZE

[Beat, you're missing the point here...]

[Being forced to go to this masquerade thing was terrible; this sort of environment was A Lot, even if the food could be anything she wanted, her friends were probably here, and she definitely wasn't alone in how out of place she felt.

Hah, she was definitely an out of place object, wasn't she? Aaah this was the worst, though. So many people... but something catches her eye with a skull motif. Was that Ryuji? Was he here?! Her favourite idiot that she cried over when she thought he was dead!

Taking her things (because really, she does have chocolates with her just in case!) she'll jog over, ignoring the amount of people as best she can.]

Hey! Heeeeey! Skull! When did you get here?!

[When Beat started the day, he had no idea that he would be forced into a carriage by mice of all things, and dressed up in a mask and formal attire for whatever event was being held at this castle. While he was usually okay with most parties, this definitely wasn't his usual scene feeling like it was a bit too stuffy for his tastes. But that didn't mean he wasn't going to make the most out of it, having just gotten a plate of takoyaki from the dragon server.

It had been hard to recognize most people since he got here, so when someone calls out to this Skull person, he doesn't recognize voice nor the person that approaches him. She probably wasn't talking to him either considering she was shouting out to someone named Skull. But he looks over his shoulder anyway, trying to see if there was anyone else that she was referring to before the girl closes in the distance between them.

There's no way she means him, right?]

Lookin' for a friend a' yours?

[—oh, that isn't Skull's voice. ...she should recognize it, but the mask and outfits certainly don't make it easy to figure out who's who around here. Hearing that it isn't Ryuji stops her in her tracks, and she shakes her head quickly.]

N-no, s-sorry... you just l-look like s-someone else.

[How embarrassing! Well... she's here... so she might as well get some grub too from the server. Holding out the card, she'll hand it over, mumbling.]

M-mom's curry... please...

[Now that she was closer and he hears her better, a niggling feeling begins to chew at the back of his mind. There was something familiar about her but he couldn't exactly place his finger on why, nor did he have an inkling of who she might be.

But before he could think on it any further, he hears the order she puts in and immediately turns to her, a friendly grin on his face.]

Yo, curry sounds like it'd hit the spot right now.

[...hm.]

Y-yeah... I haven't h-had this kind f-for a while, so...

[Mom's curry could be made by Sojiro and Ren, but neither were here at the moment. But since this could be the only time she could really get it, you can bet she'll be back for seconds. Maybe thirds. Maybe elevensies. WHO KNOWS.]

But... y-you sound like y-you like it too, huh...?

Like it? More like love it. Best food you can ever have!

[As much as he enjoyed that takoyaki that he had asked for, it's hard to deny his love for curry. Maybe he should get himself some of that after he's done with this.]

Can prob'ly have it for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and I still ain't gonna be sick a' it.

[Well that settles it. Someone's going to be trying THE BEST CURRY EVER here in a second, because Futaba sets her plate down and looks at the dragon chef very seriously after another food voucher appears in her hand.]

M-make that TWO of m-mom's curry!

[And when she looks back at Beat:]

Y-you're gonna need t-to prepare your tastebuds!

[Well, this comes as a bit of a surprise. Not that Beat would ever say no to food, especially if it were curry.]

Thanks, yo. Your mom's curry must be hella good if you willin' to share.

[Speaking of which, he extends his arm, offering the small boat of takoyaki towards her. It's the least he could do. A few toothpicks lie on the side of it for her to partake in if she wanted.]

Want some a' mine? Dunno how's it's gonna hold up to your curry but it's some a' the best from Shibuya.

[Shibuya.... she only knows one other person from her home turf, and that's...]

...Beat? I-is that you?

[The masks are making it hard to figure out who is who, but Shibuya buddies.... it's definitely not Akechi or Ann, so it has to be Beat. Man... she's kinda embarrassed she thought he was Ryuji even MORE now.]

I-I only know a few people from S-Shibuya, and you're not Ann o-or Jerkechi, so...

[Wait... She knows him?]

Yeah, tha's right.

[It might be hard to see but his face scrunches up behind the mask. So that feeling was right after all. Yet somehow he still couldn't place who she was.]

Look, yo. I dunno what's up with these masks or whatever, but if ya know me—

[Trailing off, he puts his food to the side before reaching up to remove the skull mask from his face, revealing that it was exactly who Futaba had surmised. He looks a bit more put together, his hair pushed to the side of his face, only a few persistent locks of hair falling to where his fringe usually sat.]

Kinda feel bad that I ain't gotta clue who you are.

[Dang... she's good. And he looks... really nice like this. Without him knowing who she is, she could tell him how nice he looks... but then it'd be all over once he figured her out.

Instead, she just grins.]

I'm the only person in Reverein that could out-eat you in a curry challenge, of course. Especially if it's mom's curry. It'll knock your socks off!

[She does, finally, take one of the takoyaki from what he had offered. At least there was no secret spicy one! ...or was there?]

[The only person who could beat him? Well, he's beaten Gina before. And Mei. But he still had a challenge with Futaba lined up... Wait, was it actually her?]

Shorty? Izzat you?

[Thankfully there weren't any spicy ones among the takoyaki he had ordered, but he was right when he said it was tasty. But it barely registers that she had taken one from him. This was the first time he'd seen her since the gumdrop incident and if it really was Futaba, she really looked—]

Yo, you lookin' real pretty.

[Unfortunately, or fortunately, he wasn't able to stop himself from saying it out loud.]

[When he asks if it's her, she'll remove her mask and her grin turns into a smile.]

I can't believe that took us both so long to figure it out. I guess the masks want things to be all secret or something. I don't do great with that sort of thing, heh.

[But! It was someone she knew now that she was with, and she's already feeling a lot better. Enough to eat the takoyaki she had nabbed, and then he goes and says that.]

Hrk—

[DON'T MIND HER, just casually choking on her food from his sudden complement! Once it's finally not going down the wrong tube there, she'll just stare wide-eyed for a moment, wiping away any sudden food bits that she may have coughed out because that's even WORSE, especially when his complement was what it was!]

S-sorry, you... y-you really caught me off-guard there... I doubt that's still the case after me coughing up some food, heh...

[And if it was, well... that's a problem for immediate future Futaba.]

[Beat is immediately at her side when she seems to be choking, his hand laying on her back if she needed it, ready to help her if things worsened. His other reached for a glass of water at the banquet table. Once she seemed to be out of the woods, he offers the glass to her before reaching to hand her a table napkin as well.]

Think I should be the one apologizin'. That kinda came outta nowhere, huh?

[Though he doesn't say it out loud, he doesn't think differently despite what had just happened. It is the first time he has seen her dressed up that the words just left him before he could put a stop to it, unable to keep them to himself.]

[But, as he thinks that, realization dawns on him. This was the first time he'd seen her out in an event like this, too. The last time they had met, he had found her crouched down in the middle of the crowd, hands firmly pressing her headphones against her ears. His gaze darts to her head to see that her headphones weren't present this time around. While the hall had not been as packed as the shopping district of Reverein at the time, there still were a large number of people around.

With a concerned look, he meets her gaze, eyebrows furrowed and lips pressed into a thin line.]

Hey, how you holdin' up? D'you wanna go somewhere quieter?

[While worry was in the forefront of his mind, he doesn't seem to realize how what he says could be misconstrued as well.]

N-no, it's fine! Y-you... look really nice too.

[She shoves her mask back on and turns back to her plates of curry, all to hide the faint blush on her cheeks. That took a lot of inner guts to say for her, okay!!

There's a moment when he mentions going somewhere else, just the two of them... but he knows so many people might be making her nervous. There's definitely a gasp from someone near them at this misconstrued question, because how SCANDALOUS, but...]

Oh... yeah. That might be good. It's getting really loud in here and there's a lot of people. Somewhere quiet means I don't have to worry about getting nervous or overwhelmed while eating. Which, you're gonna try this curry too, right?

[Her own compliment causes him to blush as well, coloring his cheeks a light pink as he looks away from her briefly. It's then he meets the eye of the scandalized passer-by, and he lets out a growl, brows pulling together as he bares his teeth at them. His intimidation tactic was enough to make them look away and mind their own business.

Almost immediately, his expression softens as he looks back at Futaba, hand still on her shoulder.]

Yeah, course, yo. I ain't gonna miss out on what's gotta be this world's greatest curry. C'mon, I think I know a place.

[She had been talking up the curry, so he's even more excited about it now. With his mask back on, he slides the takoyaki onto the side of the plate of curry allowing him to hold it up in one hand. He then leads her through the hall, avoiding the more crowded areas and weaving past people until they get to one of the unoccupied balconies, a small table for two set up in the center.]

Saw this when I was roamin' 'round earlier. This spot good with ya?

[And if it wasn't, they could always draw the curtains to allow them a bit more privacy.]

[—Oh, the person who gasped at them is scurrying off. Wonder why that is? Ah well. Not important. Between the plate of food she has and the bag of things, she'll have her own hands full, so she's grateful that Beat's grabbed the other to carry with his takoyaki. She has no problems following him, and she's most excited that he'll get to try the best curry in the universe.]

Sure! It's not gonna be noisy, I trust you with that. Let's make like a hedgehog and roll out!

[...well, not literally roll. LET'S MOSEY.

As they move through the crowd, it begins to thin and quiet. With how he moves around the crowd to avoid more congested areas, it really does make her heart flutter knowing he's doing it to make sure she's the least amount of anxious in the crowd. For her.

As they come to the tables set up on the balcony, Futaba pauses for a moment to take it in. It was... really kind of romantic here wasn't it? Ahh... well, that'll make things coming later easier, won't it?]

Y-yeah... it's really nice here. Quiet. Not a lot of people around... it definitely feels like Valentine's Day here, ehehe.

[No, don't get shy now! Just power through it!! She'll smile broadly and set her plate down, nope nothing's wrong here.]

[Now that she mentioned it, this place really did feel it was made for couples, didn't it? That wasn't exactly what he had in mind when he brought her here, but he wasn't going to back down now. In fact, he had only been mildly aware of the date until Futaba mentioned it once again. And now here he was, alone with her.

Just like that, his stomach suddenly felt like it was in knots. This was the first time they had seen each other since the incident and he found himself playing it back in his mind. What quickly followed was all the advice that was offered to him by his friends, almost making it overwhelming to sift through. But he clears his throat and stands his ground, making his way to the table with her, placing his own plate down, and taking a seat.]

Yeah, looks like they really got the place decked out. But it kinda feels like castles gotta be dressed up like this on the reg.

[Reaching for his mask, he takes it off once more and places it on the table before moving the takoyaki between them in case she wanted more. That last one didn't go down well after all.]

Figure I can't let 'em get in the way of the curry, you know?

[But he waits for her, not wanting to suddenly dig in before her.]

[Oh don't worry Beat, Futaba's been nervous since she figured out who you were behind that mask. Watching him be calm on the outside is actually helping her stay calm... for now.]

Yeah... I mean, what kinda castle wouldn't be decked out?! That'd just be silly if it wasn't.

[Ah... she should probably take off her own mask too. Heh, irony considering as A Phantom Thief wouldn't do this normally... but she's too trusting of Beat. That's good, though.]

I'll have to snag another, if you don't mind. And uh, you gotta try the curry! It's missing Sojiro's coffee, but it's still the best you'll every try. Mom's curry always tastes the best.

[As if to urge him on, she's scooping a big bite of her own, and raises her spoon as if raising a glass toward him. Clink clink, Beat!]

Yo, don't lemme stop ya from getting more. If it's as good as you sayin', I might go for thirds!

[Seeing her take a heaping spoonful, he follows suit laughing as she raises her spoon to him. Lifting his own up, he clinks spoons with hers and says thanks for the food.]

[He brings it to his mouth for a bite and—]

Yo.

Yo.

[He finishes chewing the spoonful in his mouth and immediately goes for another.]

You wasn't kidding! This curry's hella good, yo!

[Maybe even good enough to compete against Ken Doi's curry back home. But he doesn't voice that out, clearly enjoying himself and the plate in front of him. At the rate he's going, he'll probably have to go back for fifths!]

Edited 2023-02-21 11:12 (UTC)

Heh heh... this recipe was scientifically created, you know. It's supposed to pair perfectly with Sojiro's coffee, but I could eat the whole pot if I got my hands on it, even without the coffee.

[But also... it was mom's and it's such a nice reminder of her. Like a big hug, really. She'll take several bites herself, enjoying both the food and the company she has. This was truly perfect here, and the more she enjoys herself, the more she knows she has the chance to make this turn terrible... but it was Beat himself who said she should be honest and it sounded like... he'd probably not blame her for much.

Still, some nervousness is obvious on her face the more she thinks about it.]

[Though Beat wasn't a big fan of coffee, it was nice to learn that Futaba liked it that way. He thinks that when they do have their curry showdown there should be coffee for her and a glass of soda for him.]

If it's this good, I ain't gonna complain if it got science or math or English in it. [Because clearly he was enjoying this! He's already half done with his plate.] Ain't kiddin' 'bout maybe gettin' more now.

[That's when he looks back up at Futaba and sees the look on her face. The smile on his lips begins to dissipate and he can't help but worry about her, swallowing the food in his mouth before he speaks.]

Hey, you aight? You didn't get a bad batch or anythin', did ya?

Heh heh, mom knew what was up.

[Seeing him enjoy it though really does make her happy, and despite her nervousness, she's smiling.]

Huh? Oh... uh I just... miss my mom, is all.

[Which... is also true! Part of it really is that, but also... well.]

But I... can tell you about that later, it's not really dinner talk. Sorry, I just had a moment, mom and Sojiro would be happy you like it too. Almost as happy as me, I'm the most happy though.

[She beams when she says that; sharing her favourite food with someone she enjoys spending time with? Perfect way to spend her time. Almost a love language here.]

Yeah, sounds like she did.

[It's the first time he's heard her talk about her mom, now that they were sharing a meal that she would've made for Futaba. But he won't push for it, not after what she says, instead offering her a reassuring smile.]

Seriously, yo. You wasn't kidding 'bout this curry. It's like a party in my mouth! [With that he takes another spoonful, thoroughly enjoying himself and just being here with her.] Thanks for sharin' this with me, yo. Means a lot.

Of course! Probably a little more important than music, but I really could eat this for every meal and never get sick of it!

[Truly, she's not exaggerating here. She does, in fact, head over to Leblanc in the mornings for morning curry and coffee... though she makes poor Sojiro sigh every time with plenty of cream and sugar in it. ]

Though... I gotta ask, I think we're from different times even if we're both from Shibuya which would make sense as to why I've never seen you there or in Akiba or something. I'd notice you easy in a crowd.

[At this point she's all but finished her curry and it grabbing a new takoyaki to hopefully not choke on this time.]

But if you're from my own time, you ever hear of the Phantom Thieves?

[Ah, it starts. :')]

If not, you might actually be from a different time, and I wanna know. [For... various reasons, but it's kind of a neat thing to get all technical sciencey on.] It'll scratch the itch I have to know, so you gotta spill it all, Bones!

[He was just about to shove the last spoonful of curry into his mouth when she asks him that question. His confusion is almost immediate, frowning as he takes his last bite. He'd never taken that into consideration, that the two of them might be from different times, though he was fully aware that time worked here weirdly.]

Phantom Thieves? Nah, first time hearin' 'bout them right now.

[They both haven't really talked much about home, have they? Save for once or twice.]

Sounds like one hell of a team name though. Kinda like the one we had. But I woulda remembered it if I heard a' it 'fore.

Aww, that's a shame. Would have been neat to go home and see you in Shibuya, I would have dragged you to Akiba with me. —And one you had? I think it's storytime, Bones.

[She wants to hear what you mean by that!

...plus it'll take the edge off her.]

I can tell you about the P Thieves after, too, if you want.

Yo, that woulda be tight. But aight, I'm down for that.

[There's barely any hesitation from him, considering he's known Futaba for a while now. Besides, he wanted to know more about this Phantom Thieves group too.]

I was part a' the team called the Wicked Twisters back home. Me and the gang was stuck in the Reaper's Game where we basically had to fight for our life. And that ain't the first time I got stuck in it too.

[At least that's the short version of what happened.]

Reaper's Game? I don't think I heard about that... sounds scary if you were fighting for your life, Bones. But I'm glad you're here— you're fine outside of this dreamworld, right?

[SHE'S SURE THAT HE IS........ but she wants to make sure. This Reaper's Game thing sounds terrible, she'd probably do pretty terrible at it herself.]

Yeah, I'm aight back home. Had a good group a' friends with me. The Twisters and me made sure that we'd get out together.

[And he smiles at her, trying to be reassuring about it, but it doesn't quitre reach his eyes.]

There's a lot more to it, but it's one helluva downer. An' I don't really wanna ruin this right now.

[Just like that, a light blush found its way back onto his cheeks and he looks away for a brief moment. But he grins back at Futaba despite it. Talking about the things he had been through wasn't the easiest, considering how he'd actually died in the past. A deep exhale leaves his lips as he looks back up to meet Futaba's eyes.]

But I can if you wanna hear it.

Well... then I'm glad you're all right!

[While she's not great with social situations, she is pretty good at reading people and she notices that smile not being... really a smile, to put it lightly.]

I can't say I'm not curious, but... it can wait for when you're ready to tell me. It sounds pretty heavy.

So I can tell you about the Thieves instead. Their whole schtick was to steal the hearts of people who were pretty terrible and change them. They took Shibuya by storm, even had a calling card on every screen in Japan! They got framed for murdering someone, but... I know it wasn't them.

[She only knows that since, you know, she's one of them.]

[There's a brief flutter in his chest hearing her say that. Maybe because it's coming from her? Beat wasn't really sure why, as he was still trying to navigate his feelings.]

Nah, you's right. But I'mma tell you someday, yo.

[And so he listens intently when she takes her turn, leaning in as he rested his arms onto the table.]

Seriously? Every screen? I definitely woulda heard of that if we was from the same time, Shorty. That shit's hard to miss.

[If he missed it, he's certain Rhyme would've told him instead. He can't even imagine how a bunch of thieves could change someone's heart, but if they got framed for murder...]

How'd ya sure it ain't them?

Yeah. When you're ready. I don't wanna make you upset or something 'cause you're remembering something sad or whatever.

[She understands stuff like that and she'd never tell him to spill something unpleasant and heavy if he was uncomfortable!]

Yeah! So, I guess we really aren't, that's a bummer.

[....but... hm. Does she... spill all now or... There's definitely some quiet contemplation she's doing here.]

They hadn't done that to anyone else, just made them fess up to some really nasty stuff they did.

[While he was surprised that she seemed to pick up on that, he appreciated that she wasn't pushing him to say anything. He gives her a nod in the meantime, but it was definitely a conversation they could have down the line.]

Huh. Then that probably ain't them, right? Sounds hella weird to me if they was mixin' things up outta nowhere.

[.........you know what, fuck it we ball. She's just gonna say it.]

Well... I guess there's another reason. No use not saying anything while I'm here. [There's a deep breath, and a looooooong exhale.] It's 'cause I'm one of 'em. I'm their Oracle. I was definitely tooting my own horn with the calling card, but that took a lot of work.

[...........he did say that he'd listen to someone if they said they were wanted for crime, sooooo....]

[The realization that dawns on Beat's face is a slow progression.]

[His brows begin to uncrease, shooting up his forehead—]

[And eyes growing in size—]

[Curious interest slowly evolving to complete and utter shock.]

[Futaba was part of these Phantom Thieves?]

[Huh? Since when? Does that even matter considering they aren't from the same timeline?]

[Wait wait wait wait wait, let's back it up for a minute here, Beat.]

[So they... Steal hearts and stuff. And their names are Phantom Thieves and they stole the hearts of terrible people. That's what she said right?]

[He has SO many questions, his head is starting to hurt.]

[Okay, take a second to gather your thoughts, Beat. I'm sure you'll figure out what to say—]

You's part a' these Phantom Thieves, Shorty? For real? And you guys steal hearts?

[Or you'll blurt the first thing out of your mouth, as you usually do.]

That's the part I don't really get, yo. How'd you guys do something like that? It's not like something you guys are pullin' it outta them and stickin' it back in right?

[His imagination is going WILD right now.]

Yep. [Just matter-of-factly, there.]

It's... complicated, but think of it as... us going into someone's dream world, I guess. That's the easiest way to explain it. I even asked them to help me, but that... can probably wait 'til later too, heh.

I might be able to dreamwalk it if I tried, but the more someone... well, not in my case, but the longer they just didn't get caught and let their ego grow, their mental state would build up what we called a Palace, a big ol' place to shield themselves and a mental something that kickstarted their whole bad streak. We'd take that but we'd tell them we were going to take their heart. Once we took the treasure, we'd book it out and wait for a change of heart. That usually happened not long after and they'd confess to their crimes.

[...that might be too much for poor Beat right now.]

Edited (html is my nemesis.) 2023-02-25 11:18 (UTC)

[OKAY NO MORTAL KOMBAT. GLAD TO CLEAR THAT UP.

But this is too much for Beat right now... Regardless, he tries to listen! It's the making sense of things where he fails.

But he does understand one thing.]

Okay... All that sounds like you guys was doing a good thing though, especially if they was shitty people to begin with. Like you guys even captured them. [Beat shakes his head from side to side.] It don't sound like you guys was doin' anythin' wrong to me.

Yeah... we did have to be careful though, because if we weren't we could cause them harm in the real world... or worse. Usually if we... kinda roughed them up a little— and yeah, they fought back, like a big boss battle— [how very meta here] we could usually get them to see reason.

But someone did frame us by killing someone to pin the blame on us. So I guess I'm technically a wanted criminal, but we didn't kill anyone. I can say that as truth.

[She pauses for a moment, and though she had said all of that with conviction and while looking right at him, she gets a little nervous.]

That... doesn't change how you see me, does it?

[Since the first time they met, Futaba has never given Beat a reason not to believe her. So when she asks him that question, there's the briefest of pauses before he starts to laugh. The edges of his eyes crinkle and his shoulder begins to shake together with his laughter.

It isn't malicious either, not in the least, but by the end of it, Beat lets out sigh of relief. His all too familiar lopsided smile grows on his lips.]

Tha's what all this was 'bout?

[He sounds incredulous, utterly surprised by her question. Another chuckle escapes him as he shakes his head once more.]

Nah, course it don't, yo. Hell, it sounds like you guys were tryin' to do good for others, even if you was framed. If you say you guys didn't do it, I believe ya.

[Without so much as a second thought, he reaches out across the table and places his hand on hers, giving it the gentlest of squeezes in reassurance.]

'Sides, it don't matter if you's a Phantom Thief, yo. You still Shorty to me.

Edited 2023-02-25 14:49 (UTC)

W-well yeah! It's hard to be like... "so hey I'm totally a wanted criminal but I was framed and I can't really be caught" and not wonder if someone's gonna be like...

[In her best Disappointed Sojiro voice:]

"Well if you're actually a criminal I want nothing to do with that."

So it was a little... scary, you know? And... yeah, I even asked them to help me before I joined them and I'm still here— uh but it wasn't because my ego got out of control or something! That can... come later, heh. [No reason to bring up her mom beyond a happy memory tonight.

His placing his hand on hers gets her to flush a little, and his words are a good thing to hear and it gets her to smile.]

Heh. Thanks Bones. I'm glad it didn't change things, it'd be kinda weird if it did, but I'm glad you trust me.

[...there's a glance down to her things, though... will that all change when she shoves chocolates at him? Ughhhh... 50/50 chance, hopefully it's the good chance.]

[The impression that she does gets a laugh out of him that he doesn't even try to hide. It's obvious that she's really trying and it's a tone of voice that he recognizes all too well. Beat had heard it from his parents enough times for him to consider that their default when it came to talking to him.]

That supposed to be your old man or something? 'Cause that sure sounds like somethin' a dad would say.

[With a shrug of his shoulders, he shakes his head from side to side. ]

Course I trust ya. It ain't like yous done anything to make me think differently, Shorty. 'Sides—

[But he cuts himself short. There's more than he wants to say. That it would take a lot for things to change between them. But the more he thought about it over the past few weeks, he knew that things could change between the two of them. That lingering thought had been something that put his stomach in knots and he was feeling it once again being alone with her.

Seeing the blush spread across her cheeks also made him realize what he had done, feeling her much smaller hand underneath his. For the briefest moment, he thinks about pulling it back, but he knows he doesn't want to. Not just yet. So he gives it another squeeze when he notices her looking away, taking that opportunity to divert course in the meantime.]

'Sides, looks to me that ain't the only thing you worried 'bout.

Yeah, my best impression of Sojiro. He was pretty disappointed when he found out, but he ended up supporting us in the end. But if he hadn't... it might have been like that.

[But Sojiro knew. He knew that they were doing the right thing and that he believed in them too. He was a good dad, not just to Futaba but all of the Phantom Thieves.

His words do catch her off-guard, but... well, maybe it was time.]

Y...yeah, a little. [As much as she doesn't want to pull away from him... she does need both hands to grab what she has with her. There's some hesitation but her hand does eventually slip away from his to pull out a bag and place it on the table.]

H-here.

[Once opened, Beat will find a skull with a crown on it— not filled with dice but crowned skull chocolates.]

Th... they're not... g-giri choco... Th-they're honmei choco...

[He finds it hard not to pout when she pulls her hand away from his but he doesn't fight it, instead curiously watching her as she places a bag on the table between them.]

[Beat looks over at Futaba tentatively, unsure at first if it was for him. Reaching out, he takes it and opens it to reveal the contents, knowing immediately what they are when he sees the contents within the skull vessel.]

[A blush immediately blooms across his cheeks.]

Yo, is this seriously— ["For me" was what he was supposed to ask. But the question dies on his lips when he quietly hears her mutter their intention.]

[Please hold.]

[Dial-up noises.]

[Wait.]

[Wait.]

[Shit.]

[Holy shit.]

[Did she really just?]

[Was this a confession?]

[Was Futaba actually confessing to him?]

[The redness on his cheeks flares up almost instantly, his eyes suddenly darting away from Futaba to stare at the chocolates that she had just given him. He didn't expect to get chocolates from anyone, he never did, especially in a place like this. Back home, when his sister and friends gave him some for Valentine's, it had always surprised him, almost as if he'd forgotten that had done similarly the year prior. Year after year, he would get a few bags of giri choco, given to him out of obligation.]

[Yet now, he sat across Futaba who was telling him these aren't those same kinds of chocolate. That these were special.]

[For a moment Beat buries his face behind his hand, his bracelet swaying with the gesture. He can feel the warmth of his cheeks even if he tries to hide the blush.]

['C'mon, say somethin', idiot. Don't keep her waiting!']

Edited 2023-03-03 10:55 (UTC)

[And as he slowly removes his hand from his face, he moves it to sheepishly scratch at the back of his neck. A nervous tic of his.]

[Try as he might to bite it back, he's unable to hide the growing smile on his face, as he slowly looks back up to meet Futaba's gaze.]

Ain't no one ever given me honmei choco before...

Edited 2023-03-03 10:57 (UTC)

Y-y-you don't have to... reciprocate o-or anything...

[JUST GOING TO THROW THAT OUT THERE]

I-I just... i-i-it was me. Th... the anon poster. S-since those s-stupid slugs. But it wasn't bad! I... liked it.

[Anon poster?

...LOUDER DIAL-UP NOISES]

Hold up! That was you askin' for advice?

[That he was fishing for answers too?]

Y-yeah! I-it was me... I dunno how to do the whole.... relationship thing! I've never cared! U-until I did, I guess... s-so I asked!

[...well hey it hopefully helped him too?!]

[Shit. This is embarrassing. Asking on the journal was embarrassing! Especially now that he knew that it was her this entire time!]

Yo, I dunno how to do any of that stuff either! Tha's why I was askin' 'bout it again. [That wasn't his first time asking for help.] Because I didn't wanna screw things up, you know?

Y-yeah, neither did I. I didn't wanna... make things weird— oh shit did I?! Is this... gonna make things awkward, Bones...?

[THAT NEW UNLOCKED FEAR ZELDA UNKNOWINGLY BROUGHT ON, MANIFESTING—]

[Wait what? Beat waves his hands in front of him.]

Bwuh? Weird? Things ain't gotta be weird, Shorty! They ain't gonna be weird... 'CauseIlikeyatoo!

[Sure said all that in one breath.]

Edited 2023-03-03 11:29 (UTC)

[he what]

[....has anyone actually liked her before???????]

[no, this is new. new and SCARY.]

[She stands QUICKLY but then sits... her ass back down... before standing again. And sitting. No, she had to be sitting down for this.]

[A guy she liked. Liked her too. She wasn't too weird. He wasn't one of the Phantom Thieves, someone completely unrelated.]

[???????????????????????????????????????????????????????]

[It's really hitting her now, because she wasn't expecting a response beyond 'haha that's cute but sorry' or 'I can't return your feelings' BUT THIS IS NEW AND DIFFERENT.]

A-a-are you sure?! I-I-I mean I-I'm weird! A-and a recovering hikikomori! And... and... a-an otaku!

[USUALLY like attracted like, so this was.... hmmmmm. He didn't strike her as any of those. He didn't know Featherman! He doesn't look like a typical anime watcher or anything!]

I mean... I-I'm glad but... but?! I-I wasn't expecting... that. I was expecting a rejection or— or something?

[Beat can't believe he just said that... How was she going to react? What was she going to say?

He watches this entire thing unfold, actually following suit when she gets up— And sitting back down. THEN UP. And down again. What was this game they were even playing???

When she finally starts talking, he's back on his seat as well, nervous that she might just get up and bolt. He knows that he can probably catch up to her if she does. He is pretty fast. But was that even the move here?]

Tha's why I was askin' 'round, yo! 'Cause I wanted to make sure that I wasn't jus' trippin' or nothing.

[He's not sure if it'll help but he reaches out for her hand again.]

I don't think you's weird, yo. So what if you's all the other stuff too? You still Futaba, ain't you? [It's probably the first time he's called her by name to her face.] An' it took me a while to figure it out... But I'm pretty sure like ya.

[A game of SHOULD I STAY OR SHOULD I GO? NO, I SHOULD BE STANDING FOR THIS SORT OF NEWS— NO WAIT, I SHOULD BE SITTING MAYBE STANDING NO DEFINITELY SITTING, it's not a very fun game but it sure did happen!

The thought to just get up and zoom out of here like a certain blue hedgehog did cross her mind as well, and that is definitely still on the table to do. This isn't something she does on the regular, nor is it something she's ever actually done. Bolting does sound pretty good, but...]

Heh... y-yeah, I'm still Futaba— I don't think you've actually called me that, just Shorty. [She's gonna be focusing on how he said her name for a while, it sounded nice and it's getting her all fuzzy-feeling again—] Th-that was nice too, though... [...it'd probably be weird to call him by his actual name since she only heard it the one time from the bad dream he had, but...] I-I just realized your name is— it has 'daisuke' in it. Probably not written the same, but...

[Well, u kno. How do you hit on people?? This is... probably an attempt. Very smooth, Futaba.]

[Oh no, that was... kinda cute. Why does it sound cute when she says it like that?

But hearing his actual name, even just a part of it, makes him dip his head as he let out a disgruntled groan. But he can't be mad at her. It's not like she knows either. And she didn't actually say all of it.]

Just Beat's fine, yo. Or Bones. I'm aight with either a' 'em.

[Ah... that was probably a failure, that knowledge has not been unlocked so—]

R-right, s-sorry, Bones.

[Maybe... next time...]

I'm not very good at this, am I?

Nah, it's no biggie.

[Really, it isn't, not right now. But he doesn't want to get into it, not right now. Not when they were having a good night.]

It's fun to see ya try, you know. Betcha I ain't any better at it either!

[jiiiiiiii

She's going to assess the situation here, but—]

If you try to make a hi fu mi joke, I'm going to throw one of the takoyaki at your head.

[Does he dare?]

Think ya can even hit me from that low if I did, Shorty?

[He dares.]

[Beat no Beat yes]

You really wanna test me? I can figure out the best angle to do it at so it rolls off your head and hits every spot on your suit.

[....okay maybe that's a slight exaggeration but she's pretty good at that math shit, she probably could figure that out.

Though to be convincing...]

Hm... maybe not that angle, but maybe that one? No, no, too much to cover, but if it rolls of the back of his head...

[She's not actually going to do it, is she?

Regardless, he listens to her and lets out a chuckle, placing both his arms in front of him and leaning forward on the table. And, in turn, just a little closer to her.]

You really are weird, ain't ya, sensei? [It's obvious in his tone that he's just teasing her, especially with the call back to his other nickname for her.] Whatever way to throw it, I'mma just catch it in my mouth.

Edited (thought of something else to add) 2023-03-03 14:03 (UTC)

[>:)

...but she really can't when he calls her sensei here... that's just unfair. Especially leaning in to tease her! Getting close... that's even more rude!!!]

Y-yeah well!!! [He's not bullying her over it (well, maybe, but it's the belly (affectionate) kind here....] Th-then you better think fast!

[Because it's going in for a direct smack between the eyes!]

Bwuuuh?

[You see, when he first moved closer to her, he didn't think she would actually do it. But when she actually does, there's barely any time for him to react or even move. So—]

[S M A C K!

The takoyaki she flicks hits him squarely between the eyes. Then slides down slowly, hitting his nose before landing on the table in front of him with a wet squelch.]

Hmph, guess I can hit you from this low, Bones.

[There's a triumphant little "hm hm" and smirk on her face for that; she probably would have felt bad if it had gotten on his suit even if she had teased him about it because... well, he looks nice. She doesn't want to ruin that!]

You shouldn't underestimate me.

[He purses his lips at her in response, almost looking like his pouting. The mayo and sauce on his forehead and nose only adds to the almost mournful look on his face.

But the expression doesn't remain on his his face for too long, quickly shifting to a wicked, lopsided grin.]

My turn, yo.

[In that same breath, he flicks the same takoyaki towards Futaba's forehead.]

[SMACK—

Lucky for him it doesn't roll down the front of her dress to stain it... but does go down the front of her dress ifyouknowhatimean, which makes her jump with a shout because who expects takoyaki to be shimmying down their body like that?! And how the heck did it even get through the opening there, what the hell!!

Luckily(?) there's a belt high up enough that it gets stuck there but this is going to be very awkward.]

T-t-turn around!!

[LOOK she needs to get it out of her dress somehow, and trying to sprint elsewhere to do that would make it worse, so...... so!!!!]

A-a-a-a-and don't y-y-y-y-y-you dare look or— or I-I'll hack everything y-y-you own!

[When she is very sure that beat isn't looking, she'll fish it out and chuck it into a flowerpot. She doesn't want to look at it. Most of the sauce likely came off when it got tossed into Beat's face, so it's not... too bad... but boy is this going to be more awkward for tonight!]

[The sound of the octopus ball connecting with her forehead only makes him grin wider. But that disappears almost immediately as he sees it roll off her face... into her dress and down her chest.

And he just stares for a minute, his cheeks growing warmer as a flush spreads across them, all the way to reach his ears. Holy shit, did that just happen? So much for a childish prank.

Beat only snaps out of it, eyes darting back up to meet Futaba's when she shouts at him.]

Okay, yo! I'm turning, I'm turning!

[He does just that, twisting both his body and his neck away from her, even putting a hand over his eyes for good measure. Was it just him or was everything starting to feel warm here?]

I ain't looking! Jus' do what you gotta do.

[Beat doesn't even try to sneak a glance, continuing to look away until Futaba gave him the all clear. But even if he doesn't look, that image of it falling into her dress is stuck in his mind now... Can he get any redder?]

[Once she's unceremoniously thrown it into a flower pot, she sighs heavily, a hint of disgust in it. It's not aimed at Beat but definitely the fact that she had a takoyaki in her dress.]

I-it's safe now. I guess I won't have to hack everything you have.

[WHICH, GOOD, she was watching him as best she could to make sure he wasn't sneaking peeks and he didn't.]

Maybe... we wait for food fights huh? When we aren't in fancy clothes an' all.

[Slowly, he turns back to look at her, first craning his neck before turning fully. The flush is still present on his face, and he's not sure how long it will last. But he laughs at her suggestion.]

Yeah, tha's prob'ly a good idea.

[Then he pauses, nervously playing at the hem of his sleeve.]

That mean we can see each other 'gain? Like, you know— [A grumble. Just say it already!] Like, on a date?

[Ah, things were going to be normal and it was fine—

wait what]

[A WHAT?]

[NO, FUTABA, play it smooth! Maybe! Even if all of this is most definitely happening on your face as you process it all!!]

[—right, smooth. Yeah, she's blushing hard though, but totally smooth and not at all in disbelief that she, of all people, is getting asked on a date. What even.]

Y-yeah, of course, I wouldn't say no to seeing you again even after... after nothing happened!

[Yep, no takoyaki went on a trip, what are you talking about Beat?]

But um... I wouldn't mind a date.

[Honestly, Beat didn't know what to expect. He knew he liked her, and that she liked him, so he figured he should shoot his shot. And if she said no, he'd figure out how to be okay with it too. Thankfully, he doesn't even need to entertain that thought because once she says yes, a smile splits across his face.]

Yeah? Yeah, for real?

[And suddenly he's up on his feet, leaning against the table, excited and giddy and just barely containing himself at this point. He'd felt his stomach in knots only a few moments ago, but that has since gone away, and he feels light on his feet.

There's a boyish charm to his smile and glee, an excitable energy emanating from him, despite the smeared sauce across his face. But wait a second, what could they even do? Suddenly his brain is going a mile a minute.]

Oh man, whatchu wanna do, Shorty? We still got that show a' yours to watch. Or do you wanna go out or somethin'? No place crowded though if tha's whatchu want.

[Ahh... he was cute like this, like a giant, overexcited puppy and that was enough to get her to smile too, watching how happy that confirmation made him. When he says Ryuji's signature line though, she can't help but laugh, especially considering she thought he was Ryuji earlier!]

You really said that! You'd get along great with Skull— er, Ryuji. But yeah, for real, Bones.

[His rapid fire questions only make her smile grow, though.]

I dunno, do you really wanna do a Featherman date? What if you don't like super sentai?! But I wouldn't mind food or something... I go to the Harvest a bunch 'cause I know everyone there, but there's other places here now too, right? Aaaah... I didn't think I'd ever be in this sorta position, I don't think anyone's ever liked me before, so I'm not really sure.

[For the big brain she has, this is definitely out of her league!]

Edited (missed a word, english why) 2023-03-10 12:44 (UTC)

Tha's a friend a' yours, right? You gotta tell me 'bout him next time.

[He does want to know more about her after all. Not just her life here but even back home. Back in her Shibuya. His smile persists as she tries to answer him. He can see she's trying too. Neither of them seemed to have much experience with sort of thing, and his way of going about it was, apparently, just throwing out ideas and seeing what sticks.

When she starts to struggle though, he shakes his head, hoping to reassure her.]

Look, yo. I'm aight with whatever ya wanna do. I mean, as long as I'm hangin' out with ya, you know? If you wanna do something you like, I'm down. But I'mma pick the next one after!

[Ah. That last part seemed to come out without him realizing it.]

Yeah, from home. You definitely threw me off at first, you look a lot like him in your getup right now. But yeah, I'll make sure I tell you about them all!

[Though... maybe it's better if Ren isn't here anymore... and though they don't know it, Ann will be waking up soon too— that just leaves Akechi, but Akechi.... :') Akechi won't be ready to break kneecaps... probably.

Futaba pauses when he tells her he's fine hanging out with her, letting that sink in first before she says anything more.]

A-after? [o-oh... yeah she blushes at that. AN AFTER DATE..............] Y-yeah, of course! Just... lemme know when you wanna eat something, and we can figure out the Featherman thing.

Yeah, I'mma hit you up for sure!

[He grins from ear to ear, but despite all his excitement, he does remember that there was a slight hitch to all this. Suddenly, his energy begins to deflate as he slowly sits back down, his expression much like a schoolchild who had done something wrong.]

I gotta come clean though, Shorty. I'm still kinda figuring things out. Like, I know that I like ya, that's for sure! [It's hard to tell if he's trying to reassure her or himself.] But...

[There's a moment of hesitation as he looks away from her for a moment, almost psyching himself out of it, feeling as if a lump had begun to grow in his throat. But he steels himself and meets her gaze once more. Even if there was no telling how this might go, Beat knew that hiding it might make things even worse.]

There's someone else that I know I like too...

[ Huh.

It's weird to find oneself making peace with a hopeful situation that may never come to pass, only to find that peace torn asunder only weeks later. Hope Trahearne had decided to let go hits him like a dolyak at high speed, and once he and his brother part, he's left in a daze.

It's a very strange feeling. He isn't sure what to do with himself.

The firstborn finds himself wandering towards the memorial wall, and he finds Beat where he is hoping to see him. Without much acknowledgement at all--his expression is still a bit blank, his eyes unfocused in the middle distance--he comes to sit on the ground by his adopted little brother, no matter what he may be doing. ]

[The once empty wall was now littered with an assortment of paintings, graffiti, and sayings—all of which had been contributed by the dreamwalkers who partook in taking down the Story Eater in some way or form. While most had only spent the day working on their pieces, Beat found himself returning more than once, to add more or to polish the latest piece of art he'd put up on the wall.

Today was one such day. He'd been busying himself with his work, music on his headphones at full blast. He doesn't hear Trahearne coming, but a moment out of the corner of his eye catches his attention.]

Nightlight?

[Pausing in his work, he slips off his headphones and turns down the volume. While he didn't mind the company, this certainly was a surprise.]

Yo— [Huh, that's weird.] Why you lookin' like you was left out to dry, man?

[ Trahearne sits cross-legged, hands folded neatly in his lap as he stares blankly. He doesn't look at Beat at first, nor does he respond right away.

How does he word this? This is an objectively positive event, yet he doesn't know how to bring it up without sounding...ambivalent? ]

...There is another sylvari. Here, in Songerein.

[ He finally turns to look at Beat, head tilted, a hard-to-read expression on his face. ]

A brother of mine.

[The change of expression in face is almost instant, shifting from worry to joy. Though it could be seen in his eyes, the rest of his face obscured by his mask, it was hard to miss in his tone.]

Yo, for real? Tha's great news, man!

[He moves to squat beside Trahearne so they were almost eye level, putting the can of spray paint on the ground, and pulling down his face mask beneath his chin.]

[Then suddenly:] Hold up, you got a brother?

[ Trahearne gives a lopsided little smile when Beat comes to sit beside him. It is great news. It is just so at odds with everything he's been telling himself since spring.

But Beat's sudden question causes him to chuckle. Right. He's lost track of who he's told. ]

I do, Beat. Thousands. Every sylvari is born from the same Mother Tree, and every sylvari is my younger sibling.

[ Guess he didn't need to specify brother, but--

He looks down at his folded hands. ]

It's strange. I never thought this day would come.

[Beat's eyes grow wide at the mention of a thousand siblings. He can't imagine having that many siblings, let alone being the oldest among them. No wonder Trahearne can be a bit wet blanket at times.

Not that he says that aloud.

But he continues to sit on his haunches, resting his elbows on his knees as he studies his friend's face.]

You don't look too happy 'bout it. If my li'l sis showed up, I'd be freakin' out, yo. [A pause.] You an' him ain't good or something?

[ Immediately, Trahearne knows that isn't it. He readily shakes his head. ]

That's just it--I am happy. It's hard to describe the relief I felt when I saw him. [ His eyes are thoughtful when he lifts his gaze again, staring into the distance. ] He seemed to be a good, cheerful person in the time we spoke.

[ These are all objectively very good things. In fact, he was overjoyed during their entire interaction, minus a few key points.

Perhaps those are the things weighing on him?

He looks to Beat, confused. ]

It may be the shock.

[He's about to ask again something again but realizes that a thousand siblings must be why it's harder to keep track of them. So instead he focuses on what Trahearne had just said.]

That's prob'ly it, right? 'Cause you didn't think you was gonna see 'em.

[Beat offers a small smile, moving his hand to nudge Trahearne slightly.]

Betcha you two had stuff to catch up on.

[ The nudge seems to loosen Trahearne up a bit, and he flashes a little smile.

He's right, of course. It's just hard to shake the feeling in the moment.

He drops his shoulders slightly at the statement. ]

We did.

[ He looks at his hands again, eyes narrowing as he tries to mentally recount everything Aglovan told him. ]

He is from a time many years in the future from the year I last remember. He told me Tyria is at last at peace and freed from the dragons.

[ He taps his thumb on his other hand in thought. ]

It is both...comforting and disquieting to hear that time marches on without me.

[What he hears comes as a bit of a surprise. He's heard whispers of things moving on while you're away and he dreaded to hear what he might've missed back home.

But what catches him off guard is how this wasn't the first he'd heard a friend say something similarly. Neku's experience was similar when he disappeared from Shibuya all those years. Beat looks at the ground for a moment, then back at Trahearne.]

You know, had a friend back home who kinda had to deal with that.

[Slowly, he moves to sit directly beside Trahearne, cross-legged, his back facing away the memorial wall.]

We was gone for a coupla years an' all sortsa stuff happened even if he wasn't 'round. If he was 'round, he prob'ly'd get whatchu sayin'.

[ When he senses Beat move, Trahearne looks up to watch him do so. His eyes follow him as he listens, and his head tilts slightly in curiosity. ]

Gone? [ Huh. There's something a bit "obvious" about the phrasing, but considering the context, Trahearne had a feeling Beat did not mean he was simply away. ]

Did time feel short for him as well?

[The way Trahearne phrases that confuses Beat... After giving it some thought, he eventually scratches at the back of his head, trying to figure out how to explain things.]

I dunno 'bout short but... Phones also kinda died back home. I say kinda 'cause it ain't... [Augh, now he's made it awkward, hasn't he?] He was trapped somewhere for a coupla years. Everyone thought he was gone like legit.

Leas' everyone 'cept me.

[ Trahearne simply observes Beat, trying to process what he's saying. He hums, having a feeling something is not quite connecting.

He looks away again. ]

I have only been in Songerein for a year and a bit; I awoke here upon the moment of my death.

[ That feels so long ago now. ]

Yet my brother informed me that it has been nearly eight years since that moment for him.

[ He could understand Tyria experiencing another year, as he did, but that did not seem to be the case at all. Either time moves much more slowly here, or Songerein exists in a space separated in time.

He turns to look at Beat again. ]

Did your friend express the same when you found him?

[Talking about death had always been hard for Beat, and it shows in how he squirms, shifting in his seat. Even if he knew about Trahearne's own death, it didn't make the topic any easier.]

Shit, man. Eight years? No wonder you's in shock.

[A lot had changed in the time Neku was gone but the amount of time paled in comparison to eight.]

But yeah. It was like Phones was dead for three an' stuff kept happening without him.

[ Ah, Phones is the name of a person. Trahearne nods slightly when he gets it, mostly to himself. ]

I suppose it is the nature of things.

[ He feels like...that isn't quite it, and he's still reeling from several revelations Aglovan had given him, but he'll let Beat speak. ]

But your friend came back.

[ Had he said this last year, it would have been tinted with bitterness. Not this time around, though. It's just an observation.

Trahearne is never going back. ]

[A small smile finds its way onto Beat's lips. He remembered the relief he felt when Neku did return. How, after so long, he felt like he let out a breath that he didn't know he was holding in. How shocked, how relieved, how happy he felt now that his friend was back.]

Yeah. Yeah, he did.

[Somehow, he had known that Neku wasn't dead. That he was out there despite whatever one believed.]

[But slowly Beat's expression shifted to one of realization—his eyes widening, brows moving further up his forehead. That wasn't the case with Trahearne though, was it?

Oh. Oh shit.]

Crap. I shoulda kept my mouth shut.

[ Trahearne's gaze drops for a second, before he looks back up at Beat. There's a small smile on his face, the tiniest hint of melancholy in his eyes. It's been a while since he's worn this look. ]

It's all right. I...suspected something like this must happen at some point. As much peace as I've made with the reality, it is still...shocking.

[ And a bit sad.

He pauses, before a genuine hue takes over his expression. ]

I am glad your friend came back, though. He must be dear to you.

[ He Knows That Look, My Guy ]

[Beat makes a mental note not to mentioned things like that around Trahearne if it's a sore spot for him. Thankfully it's not something that's likely to come up again. Hopefully.

He still feels awkward about it as he scratches the back of his neck. But he's thankful for the change of subject.]

Heh, yeah. It's 'cause a' Neku I ain't a sorry-ass punk no more. [He chuckles at that. At least now he's just a punk.] Wouldn't know what I'd do without him.

[ Trahearne just looks at Beat for a moment after he says that. There's an odd softness to his expression; he thinks of himself. Of the people--person, really--he could not do without.

At home, at least. He would not be who he is without him.

...Though there is that twinge of disappointment again. ]

Those sorts of people are incredibly important to both of us. [ He gently places a hand on Beat's shoulder and squeezes. He gets u my dude. ] I hope he's there waiting to greet you when you awaken.

He better, yo! I was there when he got back!

[The squeeze and weight on his shoulder is enough to make Beat turn to Trahearne. But suddenly his brows knit together as a puzzled look begins to form.]

Yo, why you lookin' at me all funny?

[ Trahearne tilts his head, the softness of his expression slowly morphing into confusion. ]

Am I?

[ He doesn't think so.

He drops his hand and rests it in his lap again. ]

I'm glad you have someone like that, Beat. Not everyone does.

[Somehow he can't help but feel like he missed something, his brows remaining furrowed. Clearly he hasn't put two and two together.]

Don't you got someone like that back home too? That second of yours you told me 'bout.

I do, yes.

[ He's so happy Beat remembered... He doesn't talk about his commander much. Beat is only the third person in all of Songerein who knows how much he loved him--the first two have already departed.

It's hard not to smile at the memory of him, though, nor at the revelation that Beat has the same. ]

He's lucky to have someone who loves him as much as you do.

[Huh?]

[What does Nightlight mean by that?]

[Wait. Was he talking about Neku?]

[...Neku has someone who loves him as much as—]

[...]

[Wait.]

[Wait.]

[WHAT DOES HE MEAN HE LOVES NEKU?]

[The realization comes slow, but the blush comes fast and furious. Trahearne has a front row to Beat's entire face journey as everything sinks in, finally reaching a climax when he opens his mouth, his hands waving frantically in front of him.]

Yo, yo, yo, yo, yo! Ain't said nothin' 'bout lovin' no one, yo! 'Specially not 'bout Phones!

[He speaks fast, practially tripping over his own syllables. It's... really quite a spectacle.]

Edited 2023-07-24 06:51 (UTC)

[ The confused look stays on Trahearne's face; he observes as Beat goes through every emotion humanly possible, not quite understanding what he said warrants such a reaction.

But Beat's final exclamation causes him to lean back a bit, not exactly expecting the outburst or the speed at which he speaks. Trahearne blinks, taken aback, and his brows knit. ]

No, perhaps not. But your tone and eyes speak much louder than your words alone.

[ :) ]

I—

[I what? What was he going to say next? Okay sure, he can admit he admired Neku. And yes, he does care for Neku, just like he did Rhyme or any of their other friends but... Somehow, he feels like Trahearne doesn't mean it the way he was thinking.

So he stares at his Sylvari friend for a bit longer, mouth agape, eyes wide.

Did he love Neku like that?

Eventually, he turns to look away, diverting his gaze to the ground and hanging his head between his arms.]

I dunno, yo...

[ As Beat stares at him, Trahearne stares back. The softer smile on his face slowly vanishes as the silence drags on.

Oh, was he off the mark, then...?

When Beat looks away, so does Trahearne. Instead, the sylvari stares out into the distance. ]

It's all right. You don't have to know.

[ Well. He didn't know for a long time, but that's not exactly the point here. ]

I apologise if I overstepped.

[Beat shakes his head as he lets out a sigh, looking back up, a little read in the cheeks.]

Nah, nah. You's good, yo. It's jus'...

[He feels sheepish about the whole thing. But it wasn't as if he wanted to discount what Trahearne said either, despite his embarrassment. He reaches up to scratch the back of his head.]

It ain't really something I thought 'bout before, you know? Leas' maybe likin' Neku like that, you know?

[ Trahearne glances over at Beat, sympathizing with his sheepishness. Ah... It's familiar, to say the least. He remembers when...

...Never mind that. ]

You are the only one who understands how you feel. [ He gives a small smile. ] Even if I am wrong, I can tell you care for him very much.

[Beat smiles back. This certainly wasn't something he thought he'd talk about with someone like Trahearne but he trusted him, maybe to the same level he trusted Neku even.

Leaning closer to him, Beat nudges his arm with an elbow.]

Aight. Tha's enough 'bout me, yo. How's thing going with ya? You go on any more dates?

[While genuinely curious, the change of topic is hopefully enough to divert attention away from him.]

[ Well. If he so insists. Trahearne gets the sense that Beat doesn't want to talk about this anymore—he gets it—but he isn't expecting him to veer right into dates territory. ]

Besides my brother's appearance? I'm afraid not. [ He gives a little lopsided smile. ] No dates, either. I hate to say it, but your efforts may have been for naught.

[ This being mid-June means certain...things have yet to happen. ]

[There's a look of genuine shock at the mention of that. Beat shifts his entire body so he can look at Trahearne fully.]

For real? Thought you had a coupla bites for the flower fest.

Edited 2023-08-28 10:25 (UTC)

I did.

[ Beat turns to face him, and Trahearne tilts his head in a small gesture of acceptance. ]

But nothing since.

[ No second dates or...anything, really.

He looks away, staring into the distance. ]

I am not particularly heartbroken over it, though. Romance will blossom when it will; perhaps now is not the time.

[Hey Beat. Every did the doorbell ditch?! Well, it's happening to you now!

Once he's answered, there's no one there but there's a couple of cupcakes (covered, of course) with a skull and headphones decorated on them, and a longer box hastily wrapped.

The note on the box reads:

We were curry buddies before... you know... ᵉʰᵉʰᵉ(*/∇＼⭒) so this was the most fitting thing I could give you: the Yellow Featherman. Curry is his favourite thing to eat.

Happy birthday, Bones.

Inside the box he will, indeed, find a high quality Yellow Featherman figure, from her own set of figures.]

[For a moment, he's confused to find no one at the door but he quickly sees what's been left behind. He never expected anything on his birthday much less food and a gift.

Inside, he reads the note, smiling fondly at the all-too-familiar handwriting. Even if she wasn't around, he could feel the shyness emanating from what she had written.

Once the gift is unwrapped, he immediately places it on his desk, somewhere he's at often when he's at home. The figure stands tall over his sketches and drawing implements, serving him as a reminder of who it was from as well.

He's going to have to thank Futaba in person later.]

[After the Story Eater is defeated and things are returning to normal, Futaba makes her way to Beat's home, where she'd been told he'd been released to after getting patched up and healing enough to be able to be in his own space.

To make sure that she's not emptyhanded, she's got some of the same curry ramen cups (many of them) he brought to her after they had established a friendship after their crane adventure. She's got some other ingredients to spice it up, as a good shut-in would have, and some drinks. Also in tow is her laptop should the Featherman urge bite them, though she doesn't expect it. She does, after all, have some explaining to do about the nightmare version of Wakaba.

Once Futaba is at his door— no notice prior, because she didn't think of that; the only thing on her mind was checking in on him in person— she knocks... and waits.]

Edited (how could i not choose an icon before hitting post sob) 2023-08-26 21:43 (UTC)

[While his injuries hadn't completely healed, Beat was glad to finally be back in his own space after the events of the Story Eater. Being stuck in a clinic with little to do was driving him up the wall, even if it had only been for a few short days. It didn't help that he couldn't stop wondering if everyone else had made it out fine too after everything, most of all Futaba.

There were still times when he caught himself thinking about their last interaction... The noise that had nearly gotten him, the creature that turned out to be her mother, Futaba seemingly having gone noctaere, and, lastly, the kiss she had left on his forehead before they parted. It had taken him by surprise, enough that he couldn't get a word out before she had left.

Neither of them had really made a move to further their relationship since their confession to each other on Valentine's. Even Beat had tried to convince himself that what he'd done for her for White Day had simply been his way of paying her back for her own gift. Deep down, he knew that was a lie.

His gaze moves over to the windowsill where two yellow lilies sat. It was amazing that he'd been able to keep them alive for so long, but he had a feeling that he would have to part with one of them sooner rather than later.

The knock on the door breaks him out of his stupor with a light bwuh along with it. He drops the bandages he was holding, having been in the middle of replacing them before his mind drifted elsewhere. He pulls his sleeveless shirt back on with some difficulty before heading to answer the door.]

...Shorty?

[Speak of the devil... He wasn't sure how soon he would see her again, but a light flush blooms on his cheeks, suddenly feeling as if he were caught red-handed with his thoughts.

A patch covers a side of his forehead and a few scratches can be seen on his arms. While most of the bruises seemed to be well on their way to healing, it's hard not to notice the badly adjusted bandage around one arm, and the bit sticking out from under his shirt around his shoulder, likely to have come from the Noise that had caught him off-guard.]

Edited (smol addition ) 2023-08-27 02:00 (UTC)

[There's a smile when he opens the door but it turns to worry when she sees what kind of condition Beat's in now... but she should say... hello....]

H-hey!

[Smooth.]

Are... you okay? [Double smooth.] Er... of course you aren't, you're all bandaged up, but— [Breathe, Futaba.]

Uh... s-sorry, I'm not used to that sort of thing. Do... you need help changing bandages? I brought some curry ramen, too... and stuff to put in it, if you're hungry.

[...more smooth? Well, better than being her awkward self.]

[Ah, he doesn't look he best right now, does he? Reaching backward, he awkwardly scratches the back of his head.]

Me? Yeah, I'm aight. You kinda caught me in the middle of changin' 'em.

[A pause. Crap, he should at least let her in. He steps aside, making room for her, offering her a lopsided smile.]

Curry sounds great, yo. D'you wanna come in?

Oh! Y-yeah!

[She brightens considerably when he invites her in; she wasn't sure if he'd be up for visitors, but seeing as how he's inviting her in, well... that makes her feel better about things.

Once she's inside, Futaba will put everything on the table, then go and check up on him. She's a little beaten up herself, a few bandages on her but nothing broken, but nowhere near as bad as Beat got it.]

Well, you didn't... you know, kick the bucket, right? You all in one piece, Bones? [Just casually checking him out—] Nothing broken? No... bones broken?

[There's a hint of a gremlin grin there.]

[Closing the door behind Futaba, he follows behind her, slowly making his way back to his spot on the couch before she arrived. Sitting down, he reaches for the bandage that had fallen to the floor before directing his attention to her, eyeing her own injuries. A worried crease forms between his brows, but only for a brief moment.

His smile from earlier returns, growing even more when he laughs at her joke. He can appreciate the pun.]

Nah. But they told me I got a coupla bruised ribs. Tha's been the biggest bitch outta everythin'.

[He lifts his shirt up, seemingly having no regard for how Futaba might react to this, to reveal a number of colored, kinesio tape around one side of his torso. Unlike the bandages around his arm and shoulder, these seem to be better secured but are in clear need of a change as well.

Moving his other arm, he points to the area that was giving him the most trouble.]

Think this is where she got me real good. [He doesn't mention that he means her mom, not sure how she would react about it just yet. Or just how sensitive that subject might be.]

[SEMI-NAKED BEAT........... yeah there's a flush at it, but it's definitely tinged with worry as she sees the bruising, and the other various cuts and injuries that he shows off.

She pales a little at the mention of 'she'; Futaba knows who he means.]

I can help you change 'em... after all, it was my nightmare mom who hurt you. It's what I should do... and what I wanna do.

[Not as if she didn't bring any food or whatever with her for the same reason here.]

And I can tell you about mom, if you want. You probably have questions... so I'll answer 'em while I get you bandaged up better than you were probably getting yourself.

[He looks toward her, shirt still pulled halfway up his ribs, and shakes his head. The Sphinx that had attacked them wasn't the only one who contributed to his injuries, and he didn't want her to blame herself for all of it. Sure, he had taken quite the beating fighting her but he'd been pushing himself back then too.]

It wasn't jus' 'cause a' that, yo. Was runnin' 'round helpin' whoever 'round 'fore I bumped into ya.

[But... Futaba was right. The fact that who they fought was supposedly her mom definitely left him wondering. And if she was offering to help him. It wasn't as if he could do this part on his own, after all.]

We don't gotta talk about her if you don't wanna, aight? But d'you mind—?

[Beat looks at her sheepishly, wincing and grunting only slightly as he reaches back for his collar to pull the shirt completely off.]

Edited (typos and things) 2023-08-27 11:53 (UTC)

Yeah, but still! A lot of it was from the nightmare! Mine.

[LOOK... she feels bad!!!]

No, it's fine. Mom wasn't like that at all. But that's why she was a nightmare version. So you don't have to worry about making me sad or something. It's still, uh... weird to talk about, but my mm wasn't really like that. So ask away and I'll patch you up.

[.....as long as she doesn't pass out from staring at a shirtless Beat... NO, FUTABA, STAY STRONG, he needs help right now, not for you to be a stereotypical harem anime protag getting nosebleeds!!!

Once she's calmed herself down inwardly, she'll start grabbing bandages and tape, and peeling off some of the older bandages.]

[She's right, he's avoiding it because he didn't want to make her sad. He'd been worried about her when they were actually there. When she was actually shedding tears as he lay hurt on the ground. It isn't something he wants to push her into talking about, but if she is sure, he'll take the opportunity.

But the question is where does he begin? What does he ask?

For a few moments, he's quiet, moving his arm and shifting his weight as Futaba gets to work removing the bandages around him. Finally, he asks, his voice low.]

What was that? How's she supposed to be your mom?

[He's not sure if that was the right one to ask, but he might as well get the address the elephant in the room.]

[Well, it was a question, so...

Futaba's quiet while she changes out the bandage on his arm, making sure it's not too loose, but not too tight once she starts wrapping him back up.]

I know I told you about the Phantom Thieves and going into Palaces and stuff— like dreamwalking here, but it's a little more complicated, but I won't bore you with the psyche psience stuff. But I gotta explain the Palaces part, because that's important. When enough negative emotions welled up in someone like greed or whatever, it'd create a big ol' Palace in the Metaverse— the dream thing. Most everyone we went up against before and after I was recruited were bad people, but... I was one of them too. N-not because I wanted to kill people or was greedy though!

[Just throwing that out there.]

It was before, even before I was still a shut in. Mom was a scientist, and she was doing cognitive psience. Er, in layman's terms, stuff that goes on in your subconscious, which is why it's easiest to describe it as dreams for you without getting too much into it. [She knows Beat, saying it's like dreams is like one big ELI5 for him.] Anyway, mom's research ended up getting stolen by that asshole Shido, but... if you kill someone in the Metaverse, their 'shadow' or whatever, they go crazy in the real world and end up really hurt or worse.

[She pauses as she finishes wrapping up his arm, and continues on to the tape on his ribs, peeling carefully.]

Well, they did that to my mom. She treated me well and all, I really loved her. But after they got to her... [This is probably the only thing she's still sad about, but it still makes her mad as well, so her face is a mixture of emotions.] she threw herself into traffic when she was walking with me. Her note was fabricated and I was blamed for her doing that in it, saying I was too demanding and too selfish, she couldn't deal with me. It's why I was a shut in, cause I was hearing and seeing things after that. My uncle treated me pretty badly before Sojiro took me in, but he didn't know what to do with me either. So I had a Palace too, and my mom, that sphynx monster, was the keeper.

[Once the tape was off, another fresh round starts going on.]

So she was quite literally right out of my nightmares. She yelled like that in my hallucinations and then at the top of my Palace. [She looks up to him with a complicated grin; not unhappy but not exactly excited, either.] A subconscious is weird. My Palace was a 'tomb', an old Egyptian pyramid with plenty of the same decorations, just... updated. With air conditioning. Brains are weird.

[That's the most important (not really) part, but don't ask questions about that.]

[Beat is quiet the entire time Futaba talks, listening to her and trying to keep up with her explanation. She had told him about the people she and her friends fought against and about how they used to steal their hearts. But this is the first time he hears that they had to do something similar to her as well.

And this all happened because of what happened with her mom.

Even if he didn't have a great relationship with his own parents, he knew others who got along with theirs. Ones who really loved their parents and got along with them. When he was younger, he used to envy those people, wishing that he had what they did, wanting to experience some semblance of how his parents used to care for him when he was even younger. Back to the point before he began screwing up.

Now that he was older, he had learned to accept that might not have been in the cards for him. That his parents just may not understand how he functions and what his needs actually are. There were times he still yearned for acceptance from them but he'd mostly learned to ignore it, just like they ignored him for the most part.

So when he hears someone talking about their relationship with their own parents, he's figured out how to set aside his own experiences with his so he could be happy for them. The way Futaba talks so fondly about her mom, Beat could practically feel that she truly, deeply loved her. And he only imagined that her mom loved her just as much.

Hearing what had happened to her and what Futaba had to go through because of it breaks his heart. That creature that had attacked her, attacked both of them, spitting out horrible comments about Futaba had been a distortion of her perception of her mother. All because of some greedy asshole.

Subconsciously, his hand moves to hers, reaching to wrap around her wrist as she works on his bandages, stopping her from her ministrations. Then, in a similar fashion to a few days ago, he pulls her closer to him until he's able to wrap his arms around her. His injuries ache in protest but Beat didn't care, not right now. He squeezes Futaba tightly, settling his chin on her shoulder as he whispers into her ear.]

I'm so sorry, Shorty. I had no idea.

[It's all he can say in the moment, just wanting her to know that he was around, that he was there for her for whatever she might need.]

Edited (TYPOS MY NEMESIS) 2023-08-28 07:59 (UTC)

[When beat stops her from starting on more bandaging around him, she's not sure why. Did she hurt him? It's not until he pulls her into a hug that she understands. It still hurts, sure, it always would. She's still a little awkward with hugs or whatnot, but after a moment she pats his back and wraps her arms around him as well, lightly as to not disturb his injuries further.]

It's all right now. I was in a pretty bad place when I asked the Phantom Thieves to steal my heart to fix me. I'm loads better now, I promise. I know who killed my mom, and he's in jail now. His hitman... well, he's here, but he didn't really have a choice either to work for Shido. He used a lot of people, including a kid. Akechi's still an asshole, but we talked it out at least. Shido used him, and made him do shitty things that he regrets now. He even did the same to Akechi as he did to my mom and Haru's dad, so... you know. Don't be mad at him or anything.

[Just... making sure that it's know that yeah, things are all right with Akechi now. She understands him a bit more, and the fact that Shido did the same to him as he did to her mom... that was even worse.]

[When she says she's all right, he holds onto her for just a little longer before finally letting go, giving her as much space as she might need. His hand moves, lingering on her arm for just a little longer before he drops it back onto his lap. Even if he wanted to hold on for a little longer, he didn't want to suffocate her either.

The name rings a bell. He hadn't met Akechi in person yet but he'd seen and written to him over the journals maybe once or twice. Knowing that he had a hand in the death of Futaba's mom leaves a bad taste in his mouth. But if she was going to vouch for him, Beat knew that he would have to hold back around him.

He may not know the whole story but if he was a victim too, Beat shouldn't hold what he had in the past against him.]

I'mma try not to. If you say he's aight... then he's aight by me too. [A pause.] But if he messes with ya, you better tell me, aight?

[Okay, so maybe he might be a little overprotective.

He glances down at his hands for a quick moment before looking up, slowly meeting Futaba's gaze.]

Thanks for tellin' me, yo. For trustin' me.

[She grins some when he mentions to tell him if Akechi does anything to her... she appreciates that.]

Man, now I got some added muscle if he tries anything stupid! I don't think he will, but... well, between your brawn and my brains, I don't think he'll do anything too stupid.

[Akechi also had the brains, so the most he'd do is... probably try to do the "I'm smarter than you" to poor Beat. Which, of course, was unacceptable! She wouldn't tease him with any malice like that, of course, but she appreciates it all the same.

When he looks away but then back up to her, ah... that was cute. Futaba smiles back at him, and... do boys like headpats? Do her VNs lie to her? SHE HAS NO IDEA, but she'll just.. reach out and pat the top of his head for a moment, smoothing out his hair a little.]

Why wouldn't I trust you? You've been looking out for me from day one, right? You deserved to know, too. I didn't want you to think my mom was terrible because of whatever hallucinations I had nightmares about a while ago decided to show up here. You've just unlocked the 'Forbidden Futaba Lore' route, is all.

[There is a bit of a surprise when she starts patting her head, and the confusion shows on his face... But he doesn't pull away as she does it either. It certainly wasn't a bad thing. In fact, it felt kind of nice. Beat laughs, smiling back at her as she does it.]

Heh, I like the sound a' that. Kinda makes us some kinda dream team, don't it?

[It's not instantaneous that he realizes that what he says could be taken another way, but when it does dawn on him, a light blush spreads across his cheeks. Before, he might've looked away in embarrassment, but he didn't shift or look away from Futaba.

Not this time.]

I dunno what lore is but if it is what I think it is, then I'm just glad she wasn't like that to you back home.

[He knew all too well how it felt to have parents who didn't care for you. Maybe even resented you as their child. Beat wouldn't wish that on anyone. And he felt he should return the trust in kind.]

My 'rents... they was kinda like how your mom was when we was fighting her. They was always gettin' up on my grill, I was always pissin' them off. Ran away from home a coupla times 'cause of it.

[Futaba had seen the dream before, hadn't she? Of some fantasy that only existed in his mind. It was hard to admit that he still wished that at times. Even if he doesn't look away, his leg starts to shake, bouncing up and down, foot against the ground as he spoke.]

So I thought it was like that for you, too. And that shit is jus' messed up, you know?

Ah... y-yeah, it does, hehe...

[She likes the sound of that, even if it may have not been what he meant. And hey, the headpats: success. She's going to remember that... for reasons.]

You know, backstory like in a video game! You find out about tragic or silly backstory of like, your party rogue or paladin or something!

[...is Beat even a gamer— DOES HE EVEN HAVE GAMES ON HIS PHONE??

Her wondering about that pauses as he tells her about his own home life, and she frowns some when he mentions his parents... not being all that great.]

Is it the super stereotypical 'if you aren't adhering to how it is, you're wrong'? Hammer down the nail that sticks out, all that? I guess I was pretty lucky, I only thought Mom hated me for what happened after hearing the fake note, but...

[She's quiet for a moment, wondering. Parents don't usually just hate their kids, right?]

I don't think they hate you or anything. I mean, I dunno them but... I can't imagine they do. You just... don't want to be what they want, right? It's okay to be you, Beat., no matter what anyone else says. I like you better being the bad boy type, being any different would just be... weird.

[...can she imagine him being like Yusuke? Oh, no, that's a weird mental image, maybe not.]

Still sucks that you thought that, yo. That kinda shit can really mess with ya.

[He mulls that over for a second. After a sigh, he shakes his head and changes his tone, a bright smile plastered onto his face. It's no use thinking about something like that if you don't plan on getting back up.]

But I'm glad your mom ain't like that. Bet she'd be real proud to see her girl being one helluva baddie too, yo.

[Hell, even he's proud of her. She almost went noctaere on him but she was able to pull herself back with a little help.

While his smile persists, it dims slightly thinking about his parents once more. It's not something he would talk about to just anyone but he's known Futaba for long enough that he feels at ease around her. And it wasn't just because he liked her... Maybe it was time for him to dish out some lore.]

I don't think they did either. Hate me. But they didn't really care. Leas'... the stopped carin' when I did too 'cause that was the only way I could get 'em off my back.

[His eyes shift, looking down at his hand, not realizing how he was tugging at the fabric of his pants—a nervous tic of his. A scoff leaves his mouth, not looking back up, but appreciating the validation coming from Futaba.]

Yeah, I know that now. That it's aight to do what I wanna do and be who I wanna me. I ain't changin' who I am. Not for my 'rents, not for anyone, yo.

Ahaha, a baddie, huh? I think she'd be proud that I was protecting her research from jerk adults who wanted it to use to rule the world or whatever, so I'll take it.

[Considering she isn't a fighter, that was... a pretty big complement for her!

When his smile fades some, she notices almost immediately. She's serious when Beat starts telling her about his parents. They sounded really strict... most definitely the kind of parents that wanted him to be a certain way and he just wasn't.]

You shouldn't. I'll bet they'll come around eventually! They should be proud of you too, that's what I think. And it's not like you don't care, you obviously do. You just don't care about what they think of you, but you care about people. You cared enough about me to make sure I didn't fly away in that crazy wind when we met, and we didn't even know each other. Same with at Christmas and you found me freaking out.

[There's a pause and she looks away from him for a moment, fiddling with the hem of her shirt.]

It's part of why I like you.

[A small gasp leaves his mouth when she says that, causing him to crane his neck back up to look at her. He catches her looking embarrassed, unable to look him in the eye as she fiddles with her shirt. For a moment, he studies her, and a thought comes to his mind:

Ah, she's really cute...

Soon, Beat could not stop the small lopsided smile that begins to creep onto his face. His cheeks grow warm as a blush spreads across them. Even if they had admitted that they liked each other before, hearing again made him feel warm inside.

It was nice, even if it did make him feel sheepish.

He lets out an embarrassed chuckle, keeping his eyes trained on her.]

No way I'mma jus' leave ya hangin', Shorty. Didn't plan to when we first met an' ain't no way I'mma plannin' to now.

[Eventually Futaba glances back at him, the look on his face catching her eye easily. For as he was thinking she was cute, she's thinking the same of him. This wasn't something she was used to, but Beat probably isn't either.]

Y-yeah, of course not... you're too nice for that, like I said. You seemed kinda gruff and... I dunno, intimidating? When I first met you, but now you're like... one of those giant fluffy dogs.

[Not a teddy bear, that's weird, but a happy, friendly, fluffy dog? Yeah, that works.]

You always look out for me, so I wanna do the same for you too, Bones. I can't fight but... I still wanna do my best for you.

[There's a moment of quiet from her before she grabs her head and kicks her feet some.]

Ughhh this is so... so...! [She's embarassed. :)]

Edited (html AND spelling, god it's the worst wombo combo) 2023-10-17 10:01 (UTC)

[It definitely wasn't something he was used to. Having this much attention on him wasn't something he could've ever dreamed of. Yet somehow, that was exactly what was happening, and from a cute girl nonetheless.

He watches her, seeing her flail about in frustration. Beat laughs at that, leaning his cheek against the palm of his hand, his arm resting against the couch.]

I think I getcha. [His voice lowers, the blush from earlier deepening, his face growing hotter.] 'Cause I wanna do that for ya too.

[Despite his embarrassment, he keeps his eyes trained on her, shifting in his seat to move closer to Futaba. There is still enough space between the two of them, remaining conscious about not crowding her.

But all he could think about was how much he wanted to kiss her.]

Hey, Shorty?

[Hearing the confirmation that he wanted to watch out for her too... that felt nice. It was different than when someone like Ren or Ann or Yusuke said it. They were important, yes, but this was... different. The butterflies that she felt even before when the slugs caught them were coming back, but this time it wasn't because of any external source, just the two of them.

Despite his trying not to crowd her, Futaba is very aware of how close he is now, though she doesn't move away. She notices he's not terribly close, just close enough. So far, she hasn't moved to look at him again, not until she feels the heat in her cheeks (and the butterflies in her stomach) subside some, but now with Beat so close... that's going to be hard.

It takes her a moment to try to compose herself, though the signs of a faint blush are still there when Futaba finally turns slightly to him to face him.]

Y-yeah? Wh-what is it, Bones?

[Now with Futaba looking right at him, Beat's eyes dart from hers to her mouth, lingering for a moment before holding her gaze again. Screw it.

The intrusive thoughts won and he would deal with the consequences later, whatever they may be. Without so much of a second thought, he leans in, closing the gap between them and pressing his lips against Futaba for a kiss.

For a moment he's brought back to the first time they'd kissed, months ago at this point, and he couldn't help but wonder if it had felt as good as this did now. Her lips were softer than he remembered and it only made him want her even more. Moving closer, his hands cup either side of her face, his thumb lightly caressing her cheek, as he deepens the kiss, not wanting this moment to end.

But eventually, he does break away, momentarily out of breath as he pulls back. His hands stay in place on her face and Beat looks Futaba right in the eye, unable to form a single coherent thought, let alone form a single word.

However, that kiss confirmed something for Beat. He wanted to do that again with Futaba.

And again. And again. And again.]

[There's a moment of confusion when he doesn't follow up with words after he speaks to her, but when he leans in toward her, Futaba doesn't flinch or move away. She has a feeling she knows what he's doing, and when his lips press against her own, the guess was right.

A shiver runs up her spine as she returns Beat's kiss, and while he pulls her in to deepen it, being mindful of his wounds, she leans against him some, caught up in the moment, hands on either side of him to keep balance but to make sure this doesn't hurt him. Would he even feel it right now? Maybe not, but she didn't want him feeling it later, either!

One Beat breaks away, Futaba's own eyes meet his, and while she's in the same state... a smile forms, shy but accepting of it all. That likely said more than any words she could actually speak to him in this moment.]

[The smile that creeps onto her face was enough to allow Beat to let out a deep breath, one that he didn't even realize he was holding in. A small smile of his own begins to form on his face as he sheepishly bites at his bottom lip.]

Sorry, I didn't ask this time.

[Not that she had seemed to mind.

But he leans in again, nose lightly bumping hers before he takes her lips in his once more. The kiss is gentler than the first, slow and soft, careful not to overwhelm her. Beat could practically feel his heart beating loudly against his chest, but he didn't let that distract him from this moment.

When he breaks away, he leans his forehead against Futaba's.]

An' for that one too...

No, i-it's... i-it's fine!

[It wasn't unwelcome! It was fine, she liked it. She likes him. She trusts Beat, and if she had said she'd had enough after, she knows that he would respect it. But she hasn't said that yet, she doesn't want to stop just yet, but she won't press it, either.

In fact, she didn't have to, since Beat leaned in again, and Futaba didn't put up a fuss about it now, either. In fact, once he leans in, she does the same to meet him. The sound of his heartbeat is just as loud as her own, quick and excited. When Beat leans back and apologizes for the second, she grins and leans in to give a quick but soft kiss to him in response.]

There. we're even now.

[While the first kiss had been on pure impulse, the second had also been to tease her. So when she kisses him again, he's taken by surprise. Not that he disliked it. Not at all.]

Whatchu mean we even? Pretty sure I kissed ya twice.

[Beat chuckles lightly. Despite the surprise, the mere fact that Futaba initated it, together with the look she gave him after he kissed her, was telling.

He was worried that she wasn't ready for something like that. Neither of them really talked about it much since Valentine's. He found himself dancing around the topic, making eyes at her when he thought she wasn't looking. But what had just happened gave him the courage he needed to say what he wanted to next.]

Look, Shorty... You're here sayin' I'm a good guy when I ain't been fair with ya. [A beat.] I said I was gonna figure things out and I took a helluva long time tryin' to do that.

But I really wanna hang out with you more, just doing stuff with you. I wanna know more about you, and your mom, and your friends. I wanna be with you!

[He's rambling. He knows he's rambling but he can't get himself to stop, saying anything and everything that comes to mind. One of his hands move to scratch the back of his head and he grumbles.]

What I'm tryin' to say is... [Augh. Why is this so hard?] I mean, pretty sure I...

[Slowly, he brings his hands together, looking down at them as he takes the fabric of his pants once more, keeping them busy as he tries to power through his thoughts. Then he looks back up, past his blond bangs, at Futaba. His lips curl in a nervous but hopeful smirk, lopsided as always.]

I really want ya to be my girlfriend.

[WELL.... if he wanted more...

But before she can commit to giving him a second kiss, he starts talking. It wouldn't do to distract him, and she knows the importance of listening. This seems important to him, so she wants to listen to him, help him.

She frowns when he says he hadn't been fair with her— even if he said that, she knows he's fine (in more ways than one) and that he wasn't just stringing her along purposefully. There's much she wants to say as he continues, but.. it's better to listen now. She can wait it out. When he exclaims that he wants to with her, she startles. Her? Really?]

[As he calms his nerves and continues, though, her shock turns into a small smile, slowly growing. It drops more in surprise when he says his final words, but comes back again before Futaba leans in to put her forehead on his shoulder. Shy, yes, but she can't look at him just yet.]

I'm kinda difficult to deal with sometimes, but... I'll try my best not to be too difficult, if you still wanna... you know.

[Aaah. She can't even say it.]

But y-yeah... I really like you too, Bones. So of course I'm not going to say no, and... you're still a good guy, don't say you aren't. But I guess... that means you're my good guy, huh?

[Futaba's hair brushing against his bare skin tickles him, making him self-conscious about his state of undress. But this time it's his turn to listen to Futaba, in bated breath for her response.

It's cute that she can't even say it. He's been thinking that a lot, hasn't he? But his smile widens when she admits her feelings for him once more. Leaning to his side, his head rests against hers.]

Wouldn't have asked if I thought you was gonna be trouble, yo. 'Sides, you're worth the trouble.

[Sometimes even the bad intrusive thoughts win out and he can't helo but be self-deprecating at times. But he can at least try for her. Maybe not now, but eventually.

As much as he wants to see her face, he wasn't going it force it. For now, the both of them can just enjoy this.]

Your guy, huh? I like the sound a' that.

[She hardly notices the fact that he's been, y'know, shirtless, mostly. He's all bandaged up so it's not entirely registering... but it will once this passes, most likely.

The sensation of him leaning against her too is... nice. It's not invasive, not too much, just... nice. She could stay like this for a while, if given the chance. His words, however, really made her happy: she was worth it. She knew how difficult she could be, and how she was slowly readjusting to life around people made that a little harder, but... that didn't matter. She mattered to Beat, she was worth it to him, and that's what mattered most to her.]

I'll try not to be too insufferable. I listen pretty well, so just... tell me if I need to not be.

[Hearing him repeat her words back... aah. The butterflies came back in full force. He doesn't get a verbal reply, just a nod. It's enthusiastic, at least! It takes a bit, but Futaba finally speaks up.]

I-I guess... y-yeah... b-but you'll be, uh... m-my first, so...

Yo, you ain't imsufferble, aight? If I can't beat myself up, you can't do none a' that either, aight?

[Even if he doesn't see it, he could feel her head nodding, rubbing against his own and his shoulder. Beat gets that she's shy about the whole thing, but he nevertheless finds it endearing. Especially after seeing how she can be when she was excited or feeling mischievous. It was a stark contrast, but it was still a part of who Futaba was. And he had meant it when he said he wanted to know her more.]

Had a feeling I was gonna be. 'Cause I was your first kiss an' all.

[Before long, his hand makes its way onto the top of her head, fingers threading through her hair as he lightly pets her head, similar to what she had done earlier.]

But you's checkin' a lotta firsts for me too. [A light shake of his head.] Ain't had more than a coupla crushes before. So you an' me's the same there.

Beat, I expect Link has not told you this, so I shall do so on his behalf. February 18th will mark his 22nd birthday. I apologize for not informing you sooner, but I have [ "been trying to avoid people ever since my dream" ] been busy.

hold up
no shit?
you got anything planned for him?

Not yet. To tell you the truth, I've been struggling to think of something fitting.

[ She's gotten Link plenty of gifts in the past, but never as his... whatever they are. ]

aight you and me can figure this out
we talking gifts or some kinda party?

[Link's never given off party vibes, but he may be wrong.]

Gifts. Link might be amenable to a small gathering of close friends, but I think a large party in his honor would be too much for him.

But I am at a loss for what one is supposed to get for one's [ a long pause ] person one is courting.

hold up whatchu say?
aint the two of you just boyfriend and girlfriend?

[Why's it got to be so complicated?]

To be honest, I don't really know. We haven't exactly applied any labels to each other or described what our relationship is now.

[ Everything is more complicated when you're dating a princess. Especially one with a habit of overthinking everything. ]

[Huh, okay... But that's Link and Zelda's business so Beat won't pry more than he has to.]

aight but even if you guys aint figured things out yet i dont think its really a big deal whatchu get him
as long as its something that from you it dont really matter right?

[ Please pry, Zelda is so confused... Can a princess be "just" a girlfriend or does she have to be something more? ]

Isn't that exactly why it should be more special? Because it will be from me.

[Isn't that what he just said?]

aight you know what
hit me hairtie
whatchu got that you think aint special enough

Edited 2024-02-19 17:59 (UTC)

[ Well yeah but Zelda can't just accept that without analyzing it to death. That would be too easy and if it's too easy then she must be doing it wrong. ]

Well, at first I thought I would buy him some new cookware that I saw in a shop, but that feels too impersonal. And then I thought about making something for him, but I don't have enough time to sew anything, not to mention I already commissioned a new Champions tunic for him for ~~Godde~~ Christmas.

what about something that means something to just the two of ya
like

[A pause as he thinks about it for a moment. He might have to use an example just to help Zelda out a little.]

like i got my girl a bracelet with a paper crane on it for Christmas
back when the two of us met we was chasing a bunch of paper cranes after they was getting blown round in the wind
it got stuck in a tree and we hadta get it down and everything
but once we got it we gave it back to this old lady who was making a hundred of them cranes
it aint much but it a reminder of back then you know

[It's a little embarrassing to talk about but he hopes that it gives her a better idea of what he's trying to say.]

im sure you and link got a whole buncha those too

That's a very clever idea, actually.

[ It gets the wheels spinning in her mind. She and Link have no shortages of experiences together that Zelda could draw from to great some kind of memento like this. ]

I didn't know you were seeing someone, Beat.

~~it is?~~

[That's scratched out SO FAST and replaced with:] course it is yo!

[Then there's a bit of a pause. Beat had his reasons for not mentioning it outright to many people despite wanting to. In fact, he wanted to tell everyone about his girlfriend and about how cool and cute she is even if she was a little bit of a gremlin. Hell, he would announce it to all of Reverein if he could.

Considering how Futaba was about going outside and how it was hard to deal with people personally, he'd been mostly quiet about their relationship. But this was Link's own... whatever they were he was talking to though. So he felt he could trust her by extension of Link.]

yeah me and shortys been dating for a little bit
least a coupla months now

[ There's just something delightful about dating someone who is something of a gremlin, isn't it? They're kind of a weirdo, but they're your weirdo. Zelda knows that feeling.

To an extent, Beat and Futaba's secret is safe, because Zelda has no clue who "Shorty" is. She's going to need to start making notes on which nicknames go with which dreamer. ]

Congratulations. I wish you both the utmost happiness together.

Ironically, Link and I have been [ Dating? Courting? Something else?? ] together about that same length of time now.

[ She counts the months on her fingers, then pauses. Is she supposed to start counting from when they kissed before she left or when they talked after she came back? ] Give or take three weeks.

aint long enough for the two of ya if ya ask me
you and link knew each other back home AND here
i woulda been rooting for the two of ya from the start

[Even if he was teasing, there is some truth in what he says. He was rooting for his friends back home too when they said they would meet at Hachiko after the Reaper's Game, after everything they'd gone through. It may not have happened immediately due to circumstance but when it did, he was right there cheering by the sidelines for the both of them.]

inbox & overflow | songerein

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text; shoo metagaming pigeon

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text, morning of the 7th

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sender: Oriphi

sender: beat

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ive come for my pound of h/c

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sender: shirou

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