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[ some things he learned in the past two years: when you hang out in the darkness pretending to be someone you're not, fixing things that may not have been entirely your fault (but they are, he tells himself. all of it is), your senses start going one by one. everything smells like darkness, everything tastes like darkness, and before long, he figured he might as well wear a blindfold since all he could see was darkness anyway.
but those are things in the past. it's sunday morning and he's in the kitchen.
everyone's still asleep. the sun's just barely peeking into the kitchen window but he's wide awake and flipping pancakes over, a pile of toast on a plate next to him. he's thinking of what to say when they come in; maybe he'll make off with his plate of food before they all come down and it'll save him the explanation, but a part of him also doesn't really care. it's their day off before the whole master training begins and he thinks they might as well enjoy the peace and quiet before things get hectic again. ]
but those are things in the past. it's sunday morning and he's in the kitchen.
everyone's still asleep. the sun's just barely peeking into the kitchen window but he's wide awake and flipping pancakes over, a pile of toast on a plate next to him. he's thinking of what to say when they come in; maybe he'll make off with his plate of food before they all come down and it'll save him the explanation, but a part of him also doesn't really care. it's their day off before the whole master training begins and he thinks they might as well enjoy the peace and quiet before things get hectic again. ]
[ the bus rattles to a hard stop and riku jerks awake.
he's not sure where they're even going or why they're on the train at some weird hour of the night, but here they are: crammed side by side in seats too small for them, his head having ended up on axel's (bony, he observes) shoulder when he dozed off. the train is empty save for a few people scattered here and there, but none of them are looking their way.
he takes a deeper breath, one hand coming up to scrub at his eyes as he pulls himself upright. ]
Sorry.
[ his voice is low, husked with drowsiness. a part of him is still surprised he managed to fall asleep on axel of all people, but maybe he's just that tired. ]
he's not sure where they're even going or why they're on the train at some weird hour of the night, but here they are: crammed side by side in seats too small for them, his head having ended up on axel's (bony, he observes) shoulder when he dozed off. the train is empty save for a few people scattered here and there, but none of them are looking their way.
he takes a deeper breath, one hand coming up to scrub at his eyes as he pulls himself upright. ]
Sorry.
[ his voice is low, husked with drowsiness. a part of him is still surprised he managed to fall asleep on axel of all people, but maybe he's just that tired. ]
[ it's not the first time she's let herself into his apartment.
she times it so that she gets there when he's at work, right in the middle of his day so the possibility of him doubling back home isn't as high. she remembered when she first started this routine how messy his apartment was (let's not forget that couch) and now, she almost doesn't recognize it. at least she can actually see the original beige color the couch was and everything else was arranged in a more organized manner. things were good, it's not as if he confronted her about it anyway.
but today was a little different. maybe it's the lack of sleep or fatigue, she's not sure; she breaks a plate while doing his dishes. the sound startles her more than anything and as she kneels down to pick up the broken pieces she can't help but feel like the whole thing is just futile. grimmjow doesn't need her help, doesn't need her company. he's survived this long on his own, what right does she have to try and change what works for him?
and maybe it's a sign when she cuts herself while gathering up the pieces, blood staining the blues and oranges of the plate. ]
she times it so that she gets there when he's at work, right in the middle of his day so the possibility of him doubling back home isn't as high. she remembered when she first started this routine how messy his apartment was (let's not forget that couch) and now, she almost doesn't recognize it. at least she can actually see the original beige color the couch was and everything else was arranged in a more organized manner. things were good, it's not as if he confronted her about it anyway.
but today was a little different. maybe it's the lack of sleep or fatigue, she's not sure; she breaks a plate while doing his dishes. the sound startles her more than anything and as she kneels down to pick up the broken pieces she can't help but feel like the whole thing is just futile. grimmjow doesn't need her help, doesn't need her company. he's survived this long on his own, what right does she have to try and change what works for him?
and maybe it's a sign when she cuts herself while gathering up the pieces, blood staining the blues and oranges of the plate. ]
[ peace and quiet. two things that leon longs for, and two things he rarely allows himself to have.
what could have been a sleepy, serene sunday morning — punctuated by the occasional luxurious stretch or blissfully unbothered scratch — has instead been transformed into one of aches, sweat, and grime. he'd risen well before the sun and worked until his eyes watered, courtesy of the rays glinting off his gunblade. then came the frown, the idle wish for a cloud, and the not-entirely-satisfied retreat from his training.
in other words: leon turned a perfectly lovely morning into a perfectly routine one.
he's quiet when he slips back into the house. not by virtue of his stature: leon hasn't been built for stealth since he was a teenager. this is the quiet that comes with practice. this is quiet with a purpose. this ... is his attempt to avoid waking yuffie.
step there. step there. don't step there....
the dance to avoid creaking floorboards is a careful one. trial and error have taught him much, but it's never a guarantee. he holds his breath as he pivots, lips tightening at the slightest creaking of leather....
his concentration is that of a true swordsman. it's not until he's pirouetted his way into the kitchen — his usual next stop of the morning — that it wavers ... and he notices the smell.
which ... means he's not alone. ]
what could have been a sleepy, serene sunday morning — punctuated by the occasional luxurious stretch or blissfully unbothered scratch — has instead been transformed into one of aches, sweat, and grime. he'd risen well before the sun and worked until his eyes watered, courtesy of the rays glinting off his gunblade. then came the frown, the idle wish for a cloud, and the not-entirely-satisfied retreat from his training.
in other words: leon turned a perfectly lovely morning into a perfectly routine one.
he's quiet when he slips back into the house. not by virtue of his stature: leon hasn't been built for stealth since he was a teenager. this is the quiet that comes with practice. this is quiet with a purpose. this ... is his attempt to avoid waking yuffie.
step there. step there. don't step there....
the dance to avoid creaking floorboards is a careful one. trial and error have taught him much, but it's never a guarantee. he holds his breath as he pivots, lips tightening at the slightest creaking of leather....
his concentration is that of a true swordsman. it's not until he's pirouetted his way into the kitchen — his usual next stop of the morning — that it wavers ... and he notices the smell.
which ... means he's not alone. ]
[ maybe leon should invest in clothing that isn't entirely made from leather. or maybe he shouldn't, because it's not every day that riku gets treated to the sight of seeing leon two-stepping and pirouetting his way into the kitchen. there's something about it that makes it look extra ridiculous, maybe it's that serious look on his face while he's doing it -- the scar is the perfect touch. he has to bite his lip to prevent himself from laughing; if only sora was awake to see it, he might lay off on calling leon old.
in any case, after leon makes his way in, there's a moment of awkward silence as they stare each other down. eventually, riku slides a plate of toast, eggs and bacon across the counter towards him like some sort of peace offering. don't mention who cooked and i won't say a word about the dancing. ]
in any case, after leon makes his way in, there's a moment of awkward silence as they stare each other down. eventually, riku slides a plate of toast, eggs and bacon across the counter towards him like some sort of peace offering. don't mention who cooked and i won't say a word about the dancing. ]
[ his first thought is of roxas, bright-eyed and laughing, pushing his shoulder in protest to some joke. but there's no laughter.
his second thought is of saïx, grip powerful and unyielding, passing down orders with a hand on his shoulder. but there's no twisting in his gut.
movement. heat, pulling away. he's half-leaning after it when he hears:
"Sorry."
awareness crashes down with a flash of silver hair. riku. a bus. some "hero" mission. seats that clearly weren't designed for two adult humans (or ... near enough). and ... riku leaning on him?
wait. that doesn't add up.
he buys time by rolling his shoulders — noting that one feels rather stiff, in addition to warm — and chancing a glance at the keyblade wielder.
ah. not leaning. sleeping. ]
Hey, if you need your beauty sleep, who am I to interrupt?
[ cocky to a fault, and completely disregarding the fact that — up until riku moved — he was out cold. ]
his second thought is of saïx, grip powerful and unyielding, passing down orders with a hand on his shoulder. but there's no twisting in his gut.
movement. heat, pulling away. he's half-leaning after it when he hears:
"Sorry."
awareness crashes down with a flash of silver hair. riku. a bus. some "hero" mission. seats that clearly weren't designed for two adult humans (or ... near enough). and ... riku leaning on him?
wait. that doesn't add up.
he buys time by rolling his shoulders — noting that one feels rather stiff, in addition to warm — and chancing a glance at the keyblade wielder.
ah. not leaning. sleeping. ]
Hey, if you need your beauty sleep, who am I to interrupt?
[ cocky to a fault, and completely disregarding the fact that — up until riku moved — he was out cold. ]
Edited 2015-09-15 10:25 (UTC)
[ axel's (lea, he reminds himself) implying a bunch of different things in just that one comment and riku isn't sure how to respond at first. there's that initial tingle of embarrassment at having been caught sleeping on him, but riku's been getting better at pushing that down, telling himself that he was never perfect to begin with. everyone makes mistakes.
he tugs his jacket more securely around him, digs his hands in his pockets as he leans his head back against the window of the train. he slides his gaze over to lea, stifles a yawn before speaking, ]
Are you saying I'm not beautiful enough already?
[ it's a joke, because two can play that game and it's not fair if lea gets to be the only one making comments like that. also because if they're going on this "hero" mission together, he might as well try to lighten things up somehow before they reach their destination. ]
he tugs his jacket more securely around him, digs his hands in his pockets as he leans his head back against the window of the train. he slides his gaze over to lea, stifles a yawn before speaking, ]
Are you saying I'm not beautiful enough already?
[ it's a joke, because two can play that game and it's not fair if lea gets to be the only one making comments like that. also because if they're going on this "hero" mission together, he might as well try to lighten things up somehow before they reach their destination. ]
Edited (omg wording sorry for the edits) 2015-09-15 17:43 (UTC)
[ even with riku leaning away, there's still a definite lack of distance between them. now that he's awake, lea wonders how he was able to drift off like this. closeness isn't exactly a thing he's accustomed to. unless it's him invading someone's space ... but that's different.
and naturally, that's the way he chooses to put him back in his element. ]
Hmm....
[ he leeeeans into the tiny bit of space riku has secured for himself, eyes narrowed slightly. lips pursed, he tilts his head, pretending to contemplate it. ]
... You might need a couple more minutes there, Riku. Looks like you're getting a little grey up top.
and naturally, that's the way he chooses to put him back in his element. ]
Hmm....
[ he leeeeans into the tiny bit of space riku has secured for himself, eyes narrowed slightly. lips pursed, he tilts his head, pretending to contemplate it. ]
... You might need a couple more minutes there, Riku. Looks like you're getting a little grey up top.
[ he's not oblivious to the changes taking place in his apartment. nor is he particularly bothered by them. he was, for a time, curious as to who was making them. it wasn't the roommate: grimmjow hadn't seen what's-his-name in ... long enough to consider him abducted or dead. that left the list of possible cleaners at a big fat zero. to another person, that might have been alarming. to grimmjow, it was slightly puzzling, and quickly dismissed. what did he care who was cleaning the place, as long as they didn't fuck with his stuff?
so the mystery went uninvestigated. the place became cleaner and cleaner, and grimmjow didn't object. his couch became softer as years of cracked blood disappeared, and grimmjow slept better for it.
sleep on that mysteriously cleaner couch is exactly what's on his mind, as he tromps up the dim, narrow stairway to his apartment. he's earlier than usual; the guy didn't take as long to break as his buddies had. he catches glimpses of neighbors that he rarely sees, glares at a woman dragging her kid out of his way, steps over a man (corpse?) in his hall, hears glass shatter somewhere nearby, and finally reaches his door.
the key sticks in the lock, and he rattles the handle until it finally twists. he steps inside — blood-splattered as always, though none of it his — and smells ... something.
it says quite a bit, that grimmjow doesn't immediately recognize that smell as cleaning products.
he sniffs the air twice, scowling, and begins scanning the apartment for the source. orange and blue catch his attention first. only then does he notice the small figure beside the broken plates.
his scowl deepens. ]
The fuck are you doing here?
so the mystery went uninvestigated. the place became cleaner and cleaner, and grimmjow didn't object. his couch became softer as years of cracked blood disappeared, and grimmjow slept better for it.
sleep on that mysteriously cleaner couch is exactly what's on his mind, as he tromps up the dim, narrow stairway to his apartment. he's earlier than usual; the guy didn't take as long to break as his buddies had. he catches glimpses of neighbors that he rarely sees, glares at a woman dragging her kid out of his way, steps over a man (corpse?) in his hall, hears glass shatter somewhere nearby, and finally reaches his door.
the key sticks in the lock, and he rattles the handle until it finally twists. he steps inside — blood-splattered as always, though none of it his — and smells ... something.
it says quite a bit, that grimmjow doesn't immediately recognize that smell as cleaning products.
he sniffs the air twice, scowling, and begins scanning the apartment for the source. orange and blue catch his attention first. only then does he notice the small figure beside the broken plates.
his scowl deepens. ]
The fuck are you doing here?
[ the silence is indeed an awkward one, but at least it's silence. leon can only imagine what it would be like had sora been the one to greet him....
he represses a shudder at the thought, and instead continues the little stare-down. blue on green. a perfect stalemate ... thankfully broken, when riku slides a plate across the counter.
leon nods; half in acknowledgment, half in agreement to the silent pact. if riku wants to keep his dawn activities quiet, leon certainly isn't going to argue.
he crosses into the kitchen proper — walking normally, now — and takes a seat across from riku. his mouth waters slightly as he breathes in the freshly cooked meal. normally, leon simply grabs a protein shake (mixed the previous night) and continues on his morning. a breakfast like this is definitely a treat.
not that leon actually says that. instead, he takes a bite, savors the delicious crumble of bacon, the perfect way it hits his tongue, and mutters: ]
... This is good.
[ the highest of praise, said in the flattest of tones. ]
he represses a shudder at the thought, and instead continues the little stare-down. blue on green. a perfect stalemate ... thankfully broken, when riku slides a plate across the counter.
leon nods; half in acknowledgment, half in agreement to the silent pact. if riku wants to keep his dawn activities quiet, leon certainly isn't going to argue.
he crosses into the kitchen proper — walking normally, now — and takes a seat across from riku. his mouth waters slightly as he breathes in the freshly cooked meal. normally, leon simply grabs a protein shake (mixed the previous night) and continues on his morning. a breakfast like this is definitely a treat.
not that leon actually says that. instead, he takes a bite, savors the delicious crumble of bacon, the perfect way it hits his tongue, and mutters: ]
... This is good.
[ the highest of praise, said in the flattest of tones. ]
[ earlier, when he was still knee deep in darkness and espionage, he might have shrank back from the proximity. but he stays where he is, meets lea's narrowed eyes and pursed lips with a flat stare. ]
Am I?
[ there's really not a lot of space between them. is this going to turn into a game of gay chicken? who knows. ]
Maybe I should pick up some hair dye on the way back.
Am I?
[ there's really not a lot of space between them. is this going to turn into a game of gay chicken? who knows. ]
Maybe I should pick up some hair dye on the way back.
Edited 2015-09-16 09:53 (UTC)
[ while leon takes his first bite, riku digs into his own plate of pancakes as that familiar flicker-flash of insecurity creeps up his neck. it's an old feeling, one that he sometimes can't completely shake off despite the fact that he's mostly grown out of it, has done enough to prove that he's not the same dumbass he was at 15. but he's still 18 years too young and still trying to mold himself to fit his body that sometimes seems a little too big for him, caught in the awkward limbo of being an adult and being a kid. there's more responsibilities pressing on his shoulders now; he's only managed to finally accept himself recently, but he's got another set of expectations waiting for him to live up to.
(was he once so young? eight years old and ankle-deep in the sand, bright-eyed and dreaming of what lay beyond the horizon. those days seem so far away now, after everything that happened. years spent in the darkness are like dog years; they count for more because they demand more. more pain, more sorrow, more regret.)
leon's praise makes him look up though, and he holds back the initial instinct to shrug, nodding instead. ]
Thanks.
[ it's a little hard to mess up bacon and eggs, he thinks. he's no gourmet chef but he also had to feed himself during those days of playing double agent, so he supposes there's no room for him to talk. ]
There's more on the stove if you'd like seconds.
(was he once so young? eight years old and ankle-deep in the sand, bright-eyed and dreaming of what lay beyond the horizon. those days seem so far away now, after everything that happened. years spent in the darkness are like dog years; they count for more because they demand more. more pain, more sorrow, more regret.)
leon's praise makes him look up though, and he holds back the initial instinct to shrug, nodding instead. ]
Thanks.
[ it's a little hard to mess up bacon and eggs, he thinks. he's no gourmet chef but he also had to feed himself during those days of playing double agent, so he supposes there's no room for him to talk. ]
There's more on the stove if you'd like seconds.
Edited 2015-09-16 10:09 (UTC)
[ ah.
at his voice, momo nearly jumps as she turns around, expression two parts surprised and guilty. it's obvious she wasn't expecting him, not like this at least, and she flounders for what to say. his scowl definitely isn't helping at all. ]
Um, [ she starts, fingers from her right hand clutching her left out of nervousness and to stem the bloodflow. ] Doing your dishes?
[ it's a really lame answer and she almost wants to grimace, but she stays rooted to her spot. she's not sure if grimmjow will yell at her or throw her out, despite the part of her that really hopes he won't.
she realizes then that maybe this was all just a selfish act. maybe she just wants company, masked under the guise of her attempt to take care of him. ]
at his voice, momo nearly jumps as she turns around, expression two parts surprised and guilty. it's obvious she wasn't expecting him, not like this at least, and she flounders for what to say. his scowl definitely isn't helping at all. ]
Um, [ she starts, fingers from her right hand clutching her left out of nervousness and to stem the bloodflow. ] Doing your dishes?
[ it's a really lame answer and she almost wants to grimace, but she stays rooted to her spot. she's not sure if grimmjow will yell at her or throw her out, despite the part of her that really hopes he won't.
she realizes then that maybe this was all just a selfish act. maybe she just wants company, masked under the guise of her attempt to take care of him. ]
[ Time for some 21 Jump Street shit.
But no, seriously, as festive the evening was, this was no time to get complacent and comfortable. Kasumi's here to do business, even if that meant posing as Riku's date for the night in some fancy getup that she wouldn't have ever seen herself wearing up until now. But hey, it's free, and if there's one nice thing about being in the police force, it's getting some privileges that people on the ground level normally wouldn't get otherwise.
As far as anyone's concerned, the two of them are a couple, doubling as representatives for one of the charity's sponsors--some company that required Kasumi to do some extensive research on in order to make the disguise as authentic as possible. She'd even used the past two days to learn how to walk in heels, and boy was it uncomfortable, but they're here now and she's going to be as 'real' as she can be.
It's why she smiles gently and wraps her arm through Riku's, linking them together as they enter the gala.
She whispers to him softly, under her breath. ]
This is okay, right?
But no, seriously, as festive the evening was, this was no time to get complacent and comfortable. Kasumi's here to do business, even if that meant posing as Riku's date for the night in some fancy getup that she wouldn't have ever seen herself wearing up until now. But hey, it's free, and if there's one nice thing about being in the police force, it's getting some privileges that people on the ground level normally wouldn't get otherwise.
As far as anyone's concerned, the two of them are a couple, doubling as representatives for one of the charity's sponsors--some company that required Kasumi to do some extensive research on in order to make the disguise as authentic as possible. She'd even used the past two days to learn how to walk in heels, and boy was it uncomfortable, but they're here now and she's going to be as 'real' as she can be.
It's why she smiles gently and wraps her arm through Riku's, linking them together as they enter the gala.
She whispers to him softly, under her breath. ]
This is okay, right?
[ once they actually enter the gala, he has to resist the urge to squint at the bright lights. there's no chandelier and led lights down below -- he'd be hard-pressed to find proper working lightbulbs in some places, he thinks as he leads them towards a less crowded area of the ballroom. he takes note of the other sponsors and high ranking officials, greeting some with practiced smiles and pleasantries that may or may not have carried with him from his childhood. it's easy to slip into the role of a trained socialite, and he's long since grown accustomed to the artful encasement of suits and ties and slacks. but that's neither here nor there.
when they're finally left alone at the refreshment table, he takes the opportunity to stand close, reaching up to carefully tuck a lock of hair behind her ear. ]
You're fine, [ he says, voice pitched low for only her to hear. ] You look great.
[ and he means it, kasumi can clean up nice when she wants to. though he supposes that it's probably the stylist that came in to help coordinate their outfits that should take most of the credit, as she'd taken the time to match his suit to kasumi's dress. she had also specifically requested him to tie his hair back into a low ponytail, which he was reluctant to do at first, but whatever. he'll just have to deal with it. ]
How are you feeling? Think you can make it through the night without tripping?
[ he's mostly joking despite his straight face, but if she looks closely, she might see one corner of his mouth quirked up in a half smirk behind his glass of champagne. ]
when they're finally left alone at the refreshment table, he takes the opportunity to stand close, reaching up to carefully tuck a lock of hair behind her ear. ]
You're fine, [ he says, voice pitched low for only her to hear. ] You look great.
[ and he means it, kasumi can clean up nice when she wants to. though he supposes that it's probably the stylist that came in to help coordinate their outfits that should take most of the credit, as she'd taken the time to match his suit to kasumi's dress. she had also specifically requested him to tie his hair back into a low ponytail, which he was reluctant to do at first, but whatever. he'll just have to deal with it. ]
How are you feeling? Think you can make it through the night without tripping?
[ he's mostly joking despite his straight face, but if she looks closely, she might see one corner of his mouth quirked up in a half smirk behind his glass of champagne. ]
[ She's not much of a people-person, but she's just as practiced as he is, from even before she'd entered the police force. The dress is foreign to her, as is everything else going on around her, but they'd prepared her well and Riku had offered his two cents along the way. This doesn't frighten her.
What does, however, are the small aches and blisters that are beginning to form on her feet. ]
I made it through practice just fine, didn't I? Don't you worry about a thing!
[ Except that he probably should, because never again will she (willingly) wear heels ever again, but that's besides the point. She holds her glass of water up to take a sip, still trying to get accustomed to being so close to him. They've worked together for a while, but it was never quite like this, and as fake as it is, it still makes her uncomfortable. Not in a bad way, but...in a way she can't describe. But she's used to being kind to him, being patient and understanding, even if some part of her doesn't really know how to respond how gentle his touch was when he'd tucked her hair behind her ear. ]
Ah...you should tie your hair up more. It suits you, y'know?
[ That's...an appropriate response. Ok. ]
What does, however, are the small aches and blisters that are beginning to form on her feet. ]
I made it through practice just fine, didn't I? Don't you worry about a thing!
[ Except that he probably should, because never again will she (willingly) wear heels ever again, but that's besides the point. She holds her glass of water up to take a sip, still trying to get accustomed to being so close to him. They've worked together for a while, but it was never quite like this, and as fake as it is, it still makes her uncomfortable. Not in a bad way, but...in a way she can't describe. But she's used to being kind to him, being patient and understanding, even if some part of her doesn't really know how to respond how gentle his touch was when he'd tucked her hair behind her ear. ]
Ah...you should tie your hair up more. It suits you, y'know?
[ That's...an appropriate response. Ok. ]
[ nor would he ever ask her to wear heels again, the stuff looks painful and not to mention entirely inconvenient. there's a soft chuckle at her comment, as he places his now empty glass on the table. ]
You did. It was very impressive.
[ is he being serious or just fucking with her. the world will never know. in any case, he makes a bit of a face when she compliments him, rolling his shoulders in a small shrug. ]
I'll think about it.
[ the music starts up right after he says it, couples slowly making their way to the dance floor. he watches them while leaning back against the table, addressing her without averting his gaze. ]
How do you feel about putting that practice to use?
You did. It was very impressive.
[ is he being serious or just fucking with her. the world will never know. in any case, he makes a bit of a face when she compliments him, rolling his shoulders in a small shrug. ]
I'll think about it.
[ the music starts up right after he says it, couples slowly making their way to the dance floor. he watches them while leaning back against the table, addressing her without averting his gaze. ]
How do you feel about putting that practice to use?
[ He can be as snarky as he wants around her, but she usually doesn't retort. Not like he does. As much as she kind of wants to, she's been raised to be polite and kind and that may not mean being sincere, but that's okay.
Kasumi can't say that it doesn't surprise her when he actually asks her to dance. ]
Oh? [ She blinks twice, kind of looking like an idiot until she can finally say something that makes sense. ]
The pleasure's mine, Riku. [ She learned how to dance as part of the mission, but she didn't get to practice with Riku. Not enough time. And they would have been okay being chill on the side, she thinks, but she is his bodyguard and she will do as he says.
She takes a step forward, looking down to try and find his hand. When she does, she doesn't thread her fingers through his and instead just grabs onto his fingertips gently, setting her glass down on the table in front of her. Kasumi doesn't seem phased by any of this, her smile steady and eyes calm.
She is, in fact, quite nervous. Perhaps he'll get the message through how her fingers tremble ever so slightly. ]
Kasumi can't say that it doesn't surprise her when he actually asks her to dance. ]
Oh? [ She blinks twice, kind of looking like an idiot until she can finally say something that makes sense. ]
The pleasure's mine, Riku. [ She learned how to dance as part of the mission, but she didn't get to practice with Riku. Not enough time. And they would have been okay being chill on the side, she thinks, but she is his bodyguard and she will do as he says.
She takes a step forward, looking down to try and find his hand. When she does, she doesn't thread her fingers through his and instead just grabs onto his fingertips gently, setting her glass down on the table in front of her. Kasumi doesn't seem phased by any of this, her smile steady and eyes calm.
She is, in fact, quite nervous. Perhaps he'll get the message through how her fingers tremble ever so slightly. ]
[Frey can safely say that this is the first time that he's woken up on the pavement before. He's greeted with the sight of a night sky dotted with stars, cool air around him still. It's a strange serenity settled around him, a sharp contrast to the wariness that swiftly floods him as he sits up, taking in more of his surroundings. Taking stock of himself.
It doesn't appear that he's injured, though he'd have to give himself a closer inspection later. He can't feel pain, after all. If it isn't something readily apparent, he wouldn't know.
As he picks himself up, he takes in the people and buildings stationed around him. Nobody seems concerned about the fact that a man was just unconscious on the pavement, going about their business. Colorful shop signs glow brightly, heralding the names of stores and venues with which he isn't at all familiar.
In fact...nothing here strikes him as something he's seen before.
His frown is nearly imperceptible as he pushes himself to start walking - to seek out something that isn't foreign. He's got to get his bearings]
It doesn't appear that he's injured, though he'd have to give himself a closer inspection later. He can't feel pain, after all. If it isn't something readily apparent, he wouldn't know.
As he picks himself up, he takes in the people and buildings stationed around him. Nobody seems concerned about the fact that a man was just unconscious on the pavement, going about their business. Colorful shop signs glow brightly, heralding the names of stores and venues with which he isn't at all familiar.
In fact...nothing here strikes him as something he's seen before.
His frown is nearly imperceptible as he pushes himself to start walking - to seek out something that isn't foreign. He's got to get his bearings]
[ what frey finds instead is a redhead crouched low to the pavement and conversing with a moogle. linus unfortunately does not speak in kupo, but despite the fact that he has no idea what's really going on, he can't help but stay and try to listen as the moogle waves its stubby arms and kupo kupopos on and on in what he assumes is a very important story.
he's got his chin propped up in one hand as he nods, ]
Uh-huh... and what happened next? They attacked your store? [ kupo kupo! ] Man, what dicks.
[ a truly riveting conversation. ]
he's got his chin propped up in one hand as he nods, ]
Uh-huh... and what happened next? They attacked your store? [ kupo kupo! ] Man, what dicks.
[ a truly riveting conversation. ]
[Now, he didn't expect to cross paths with a man talking to what looks like a stuffed animal. He's seen stuffed animals enchanted to move about and make sounds, but nothing quite like this. And he's certainly never seen a grown man trying to carry on conversation with it. After all, isn't simply a toy...isn't it?
Excuse him while he just stands behind Linus with his stoneface trying to figure out what in the world he's doing.
The very friendliest way to greet anyone, indeed.
Hi hello he's Frey Asher. And he thinks you're talking to a stuffed animal]
Excuse him while he just stands behind Linus with his stoneface trying to figure out what in the world he's doing.
The very friendliest way to greet anyone, indeed.
Hi hello he's Frey Asher. And he thinks you're talking to a stuffed animal]
[ meanwhile linus is... still listening to the moogle. frey might be right in it possibly being a stuffed animal; linus has never seen anything like it in his life, but it sure is cute. whether or not he notices frey behind him is unknown, as he doesn't comment on it yet, but frey may notice the atmosphere around them getting a little warmer for a brief moment.
the moogle ends up being the one to say something, lifting an arm up, and linus finally turns around. ]
Oh, [ wow, this guy sure has a stoneface. frey and diego could probably be friends. linus greets him with a smile regardless. ] Hey, there. How's it going?
[ the moogle makes another sound. ]
Huh? What's that? [ linus leans closer to it, as if it's sharing a secret with him. he responds in a loud stage whisper, ] Yeah, he does look kinda scary, doesn't he? Don't worry, I bet he's a softie on the inside. I've got a friend back home that looks just like him.
[ did he just wink at frey? maybe. ]
the moogle ends up being the one to say something, lifting an arm up, and linus finally turns around. ]
Oh, [ wow, this guy sure has a stoneface. frey and diego could probably be friends. linus greets him with a smile regardless. ] Hey, there. How's it going?
[ the moogle makes another sound. ]
Huh? What's that? [ linus leans closer to it, as if it's sharing a secret with him. he responds in a loud stage whisper, ] Yeah, he does look kinda scary, doesn't he? Don't worry, I bet he's a softie on the inside. I've got a friend back home that looks just like him.
[ did he just wink at frey? maybe. ]
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