generalflirt | ~♥THIRTY-EIGHT♥~

~♥THIRTY-EIGHT♥~

[Action]

[So having got back from the mission on the late 23rd, Masaomi allowed himself roughly a day to detox. He didn't even really go to do his training regime. He just went around town seeing who he could talk to and generally enjoying being back in this village. Because he does, well... like it, these days. (if you want to have your character run into him on the 24th that's cool)

But sometime on the 24th or today on the 25th, he goes to visit Mikado... and Mikado's not there. He tries the journal, and he's- gone.

Gone home, that is. Again. He stares in shock for a moment, wondering what he should feel like. He's surprised by how he can't really feel anything but a general moroseness. He's not violently enraged like last time. He's not even totally sad, really. Mikado might have been his best friend at home, but he feels so incredibly distanced from that home, that life, and that destiny, going into the future, that he knows he's going back to. What he's learned and fought with Mikado about doesn't make it any better. So on the 25th, Masaomi seeks out Anri to talk with her before going to see if there's anything neat in the item shop. He then goes back to his apartment, having found something neat (feel free to run into him during this too if you want)]

[Video]

Hey, Luceti. [Maaomi is now on the roof of his building. It's early evening, and he's propped the book up to see him sitting here in a chair. he has a flare gun in his hand and he's looking at the sky] It seems I'm the last man standing from Ikebukuro now. Weird how that works, huh?

[And then he points the flare gun straight up and shoots it - a flare into the night, like Men do (feel free to have your character action-react to a flare being shot up from the roof of C1 too). He then goes to cut off the recording

He then goes to send a message to MARS, in particular to CJ to try to summon him and haggle about a price on something]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[This feels awfully forced to Shikamaru, but he smirks back at Masaomi anyways.

Like it's really that funny.

See what else he has to say, first.]

Hahaha, seriously, that's great! Maybe Mikado's son'll have a chip right in his head. Straight up Feed. [He snorts, rocking back on his heels before he folds in his wings and falls onto his back, smirking]

[What a waste of Mountain Dew.

Shikamaru adjusts his position on the chair just enough to clearly see Masaomi lying there.]

[He's still laughing, looking up at the sky. The smile on his face looks sweet, nostalgic, genuine...]

[but his eyes look like this]

[Shikamaru sighs, taking a swill of his soda before putting it down on the ground, ripping a piece of cardboard from the perforated edges.

Very slowly he picks himself up and steps over to the other side, by Masaomi. He finds an open spot on the roof beside him and sits there.

Then he drops the piece of cardboard over his friend's eyes, so he doesn't have to look.]

[Quietly, this next part is said]

I'd be lost without you, man

[Finally, some honesty.]

Someday you'll need to find your way on your own. Not alone, but maybe without me. Or Katara.

[He's not like some of the people in this place, who will promise to never leave. He knows Luceti wouldn't let him ever keep such words, and more than that he has a responsibility outside of it.]

But until then I'll be beside you.

[And if I could take you with me, I would. ...even if you'd hate it.]

I'd survive Katara leaving, I think.

[Lightly. Maybe he's convincing himself]

[He doesn't say anything, not quite believing that. You're not doing the best with Mikado gone, bro. In Luceti, he thinks him and Katara are arguably closer.]

Edited 2012-10-07 04:55 (UTC)

I'd be distraught. I'd be really upset, but I wouldn't be like you were with Asuma.

[There's a barb there. His smile, which was sincere, turns into a sort of a cruel smirk. With no eyes visible, you can't see he's closed them]

[He frowns at that, unimpressed. Do you want me to feel as badly as you do?

Of course he does. No one wants to hurt alone. Ever.

He sighs, and looks across the roof.]

It may come as a surprise to you, but I would feel no better as I did then if either of you left.

That does surprise me - and disappoint me, actually. When Katara goes home, I'll have to celebrate.

[Lightly. So... very light]

[He keeps talking, only barely acknowledging those words. He knows how Masaomi is.]

I'd feel that way because I'd miss you. Because as happy as I'd be that you both got out of this place, in the end I'm human. I'm a selfish creature, and you are my friends.

[He looks back over at Masaomi, coolly.] And that's why I don't believe you. You, Masaomi, are more selfish than I am. And for all the cruel things you'll say, you arguably love those closest to you more deeply.

Don't quantify love like that, Shikamaru. [His smirk gets more pronounced now, a little fierce, actually. And he snickers] Comparing two things without inherent limits is impotent.

[And a light click of his tongue]

...I always knew I'll never get my "for the end of days" with you or her. Honestly, if I did, she at least would waste away to nothing.

If you had even a quarter of that, I wouldn't have to worry about you.

[He has every confidence that Masaomi will be a capable person in his own right someday. But a year from now? Maybe even two? He doesn't know.

That's usually what it comes down to in Luceti, though. Maybe outside these walls people stay around longer, like those men and women they've met on missions. But he doesn't personally know anyone who's been in this place longer than five. That's not long at all.

Just enough to form some strong friendships and watch them fall apart.]

I think you care enough for her now that it'd be a thing.

Shikamaru... I can give her all I have, but I cannot give her the world. Her world.

[He exhales. It's something he tells himself, regularly. But there's more. There's something just under the surface here]

That doesn't change what you feel. [...] Maybe just what you want to feel.

Yeah, yeah.

It's not worth less you to you for that. Is it?

[No. He's still not on the right track here. Tackle the situation from reverse.

"I can give her all I have, but I cannot give her the world. Her world."]

Mmm. I wouldn't say that, no.

It's not that you're worth less to us.

I wouldn't do well to doubt that, no.

[But he's lonely. Lonesome and mirthless, and resigned to some sort of thing Shikamaru can't touch, let alone fix.]

I'm not asking what you would or wouldn't do.

Denied that...? [His smile becomes crooked] Then the only thing I can mention is the poor jester of fate who'll have to go home and betray his friends.

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

1/2

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]