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[...She just kind of understood.
And that was dangerous. Of course Mal knew better than to go around divulging any truly important details to someone he barely knew, but he was comfortable enough in her presence to let some of his more personal thoughts and feelings slip through, and that alone was enough of a mistake.
It wasn't that she seemed like the fake, self-serving type he hated so much. It was just that he was resigned to the fact that sooner or later, everyone turned on you.
Don't get too involved, he reminded himself. The smile he returned hers with was tired and bittersweet, but too short to leave much time to analyze it. He stood and stretched his back.]
I'm on it. And hey- if you ever feel like sharing more of your work, I wouldn't mind reading it.
And that was dangerous. Of course Mal knew better than to go around divulging any truly important details to someone he barely knew, but he was comfortable enough in her presence to let some of his more personal thoughts and feelings slip through, and that alone was enough of a mistake.
It wasn't that she seemed like the fake, self-serving type he hated so much. It was just that he was resigned to the fact that sooner or later, everyone turned on you.
Don't get too involved, he reminded himself. The smile he returned hers with was tired and bittersweet, but too short to leave much time to analyze it. He stood and stretched his back.]
I'm on it. And hey- if you ever feel like sharing more of your work, I wouldn't mind reading it.
[She wanted to say she knew better. Because every time something happened, mainly a friend leaving, she was told to not go backwards.
As much as she didn't want to do that, not really, it was hard sometimes. Like a thought tried nagging at her mind to stop while she was ahead, because it would just end up painful. Even if it was entirely out of her control. Daria was still here working, and practically everyone she cared about had come and gone.
Everything just was screaming at her at all directions, she didn't know what was the right method anymore. Not even the "harsh but honest" one felt like it was getting to her. That method ALWAYS came easier.
But it wasn't. She went already down this hole.]
I'll keep that in mind.
[That was the best remark she came up with, and it was so short and small compared to how she felt. But it was completely sincere.]
Thanks.
As much as she didn't want to do that, not really, it was hard sometimes. Like a thought tried nagging at her mind to stop while she was ahead, because it would just end up painful. Even if it was entirely out of her control. Daria was still here working, and practically everyone she cared about had come and gone.
Everything just was screaming at her at all directions, she didn't know what was the right method anymore. Not even the "harsh but honest" one felt like it was getting to her. That method ALWAYS came easier.
But it wasn't. She went already down this hole.]
I'll keep that in mind.
[That was the best remark she came up with, and it was so short and small compared to how she felt. But it was completely sincere.]
Thanks.
[The day has been surprisingly very well for Luna. Even with him handling most of the shift for that day and skipped out on guard duties, it passes by quickly and almost without a hitch that he isn't exhausted the slightest by the time evening arrives.
He slides open his and Mallory's shared room with probably the widest smile he has ever had in recent years.]
He slides open his and Mallory's shared room with probably the widest smile he has ever had in recent years.]
[He looks down the wet floor in both shame and contemplation; he never stops thinking of Mallory as something beyond just a boxer, he's been so much more as both an ally and friend that he honestly wish he could give the same anymore. Trusting people has become so hard, but it's never out of himself that he cares for him and Chisa so deeply.
However, to hear his friend speak so highly of him and his younger self's optimism reminds him of Icarus and his giddiness to fly and meet the sun god despite his father's warnings of flying too high.]
I suppose everything about it is just sentimental thoughts, I don't disagree with you on that.
[He lets out a dry, humorless laugh. It sounds broken even to himself.]
And yet, in all honesty, I never really found it me to consider giving up on the idea.
[He taps Mallory's shoulder, signalling it was his turn to wash his back. He thinks to himself that, after all, Icarus didn't really die from flying too close to the sun, he died falling too close to the ocean; suffocating in the dark before drowning to his death.
Similar to the story, he never stopped playing a part in what he thought was best for hope. It only dawns to him now that he completely stopped nurturing the future's hope despite it never really leaving his mind and instead focused too much in eliminating even the slightest hint of despair.]
... Where did I went wrong, Mallory?
However, to hear his friend speak so highly of him and his younger self's optimism reminds him of Icarus and his giddiness to fly and meet the sun god despite his father's warnings of flying too high.]
I suppose everything about it is just sentimental thoughts, I don't disagree with you on that.
[He lets out a dry, humorless laugh. It sounds broken even to himself.]
And yet, in all honesty, I never really found it me to consider giving up on the idea.
[He taps Mallory's shoulder, signalling it was his turn to wash his back. He thinks to himself that, after all, Icarus didn't really die from flying too close to the sun, he died falling too close to the ocean; suffocating in the dark before drowning to his death.
Similar to the story, he never stopped playing a part in what he thought was best for hope. It only dawns to him now that he completely stopped nurturing the future's hope despite it never really leaving his mind and instead focused too much in eliminating even the slightest hint of despair.]
... Where did I went wrong, Mallory?
Edited 2017-02-15 09:52 (UTC)
[It isn't like Mal's still some hormonal teenager giddy with first love. He can handle the idea of being in the buff with the object of his affections without it being a big deal! Anymore. But turning to be presented with Luna's bare back, completely vulnerable and so close to him... it does make his heart beat just a little faster. His gaze lingers over it for just a few seconds too long before he swallows, pushes those desires aside, and gets to work.]
...You didn't. Not if you've still got that idea in your head.
[Luna's got his own fair share of scars along his paler skin. Each one of them is a testament to his own battle prowess; a trophy from a battle won against a world set to destroy him. But each one is also a blow Mallory wasn't there to take for them. A failure. The worst among them is that eye he'll never look into again. Was that Tengan's work? He knew he should have followed his gut and intervened even against Luna's orders.
Go against them and he screws up. Follow them to a t and he screws up. He frowns hard at nothing in particular, going over the same spot between Luna's shoulder blades a little too firmly.]
It's the rest of the world that went wrong.
[I was the one who went wrong.]
...You didn't. Not if you've still got that idea in your head.
[Luna's got his own fair share of scars along his paler skin. Each one of them is a testament to his own battle prowess; a trophy from a battle won against a world set to destroy him. But each one is also a blow Mallory wasn't there to take for them. A failure. The worst among them is that eye he'll never look into again. Was that Tengan's work? He knew he should have followed his gut and intervened even against Luna's orders.
Go against them and he screws up. Follow them to a t and he screws up. He frowns hard at nothing in particular, going over the same spot between Luna's shoulder blades a little too firmly.]
It's the rest of the world that went wrong.
[I was the one who went wrong.]
[Even when he anticipated and brace himself, he holds his breath every time a hand passes over his nape. It would be awkward to let Mallory know about it.
Luna falls silent for moment while waiting for Mallory to move away from the spot. He closes his eye and tries to ignore the dull ache in his heart, it all makes him self aware how he misses being held so closely by someone.]
I'm still part of the world, you know.
[It's a weak joke that's too close to the truth. He can't deny that he had been angry and even jealous when Naegi is seen as the Hope of the world; a low fire embed in his chest that boils every time the idea is so much mentioned, no matter how much he can see the potential the younger man has. However, coming out of everything with his beliefs shattered, the world around him false and a missing eye, he becomes all more painfully aware of how things some things are out of his reach from the start.
Just like Icarus, nothing but a mortal. Imperfect and fragile.
Being in the land of spirits just confirms this.]
They say no good deed goes unpunished, which is a modern English proverb in reference to how good acts often met with no appreciation or even additional request. Though, I feel the meaning feels more like how even the kindest acts might lead to worse things instead.
Luna falls silent for moment while waiting for Mallory to move away from the spot. He closes his eye and tries to ignore the dull ache in his heart, it all makes him self aware how he misses being held so closely by someone.]
I'm still part of the world, you know.
[It's a weak joke that's too close to the truth. He can't deny that he had been angry and even jealous when Naegi is seen as the Hope of the world; a low fire embed in his chest that boils every time the idea is so much mentioned, no matter how much he can see the potential the younger man has. However, coming out of everything with his beliefs shattered, the world around him false and a missing eye, he becomes all more painfully aware of how things some things are out of his reach from the start.
Just like Icarus, nothing but a mortal. Imperfect and fragile.
Being in the land of spirits just confirms this.]
They say no good deed goes unpunished, which is a modern English proverb in reference to how good acts often met with no appreciation or even additional request. Though, I feel the meaning feels more like how even the kindest acts might lead to worse things instead.
[You are my world.]
Tch. That saying's not wrong, that's for damn sure. But... what the hell else can you do, right? Besides, we're in a whole different world now. That's got to mean something.
[Because it can't mean nothing. They... can't mean nothing.
A fighter with one hand. A visionary who's half blind. And the heart of their group had somehow lost hers along the way. Someone out there has a sick sense of humour.
He wonders at first if he's just imagining things, the subtle little tension in his neck and pause in his breathing every time he brushes over the spot. But soon enough he realizes there's something more to it, and when it dawns on him just what that something could be, he takes in a sharper breath of his own. What if he just pays a little extra attention to his nape? Brushing a knuckle over the soft flesh just to see what happens. What he can do.
He already feels his stomach tightening with self-loathing that he could think such a thing at a time like this. That even if he tries to force it out of his mind now the thought will inevitably push itself to the forefront of his mind the next time he needs to relieve a little personal tension whether he wants it to or not.
He really is... so wrong.]
Tch. That saying's not wrong, that's for damn sure. But... what the hell else can you do, right? Besides, we're in a whole different world now. That's got to mean something.
[Because it can't mean nothing. They... can't mean nothing.
A fighter with one hand. A visionary who's half blind. And the heart of their group had somehow lost hers along the way. Someone out there has a sick sense of humour.
He wonders at first if he's just imagining things, the subtle little tension in his neck and pause in his breathing every time he brushes over the spot. But soon enough he realizes there's something more to it, and when it dawns on him just what that something could be, he takes in a sharper breath of his own. What if he just pays a little extra attention to his nape? Brushing a knuckle over the soft flesh just to see what happens. What he can do.
He already feels his stomach tightening with self-loathing that he could think such a thing at a time like this. That even if he tries to force it out of his mind now the thought will inevitably push itself to the forefront of his mind the next time he needs to relieve a little personal tension whether he wants it to or not.
He really is... so wrong.]
Edited 2017-02-15 13:57 (UTC)
[He's unaware to whatever stopped Mallory from washing his back, though he isn't going to admit that it's fine to touch him there any time soon. That would certainly be awkward, and he's certain that as loyal and kind as Mallory is to him, there are limits to how much friendship allows you to do- much so just to null his loneliness, even for a brief second. If only he knew.
No, he needs to stop this, Luna's selfish as it is to even think an idea like that, using his friend's loyalty and almost unquestionable kindness. He needs to focus on the actual conversation.]
Something...
[Could it really mean anything at all? The Witch tempted here just so they can fulfil their debts- he isn't sure how long that would be considering his own is to repay for not ruining just one life but two. As far as he's concern, he'll be here for more than decades. As bad that is, he accepts his fate, because the old world is rebuilding itself without him. And Mallory... well, he isn't suppose to be alive.
They're both scrapped out of the old world and won't be seeing it regrow any time soon. Unless...]
Correct my memory, is Koriko specifically a resort island with mostly entertainments and venues?
No, he needs to stop this, Luna's selfish as it is to even think an idea like that, using his friend's loyalty and almost unquestionable kindness. He needs to focus on the actual conversation.]
Something...
[Could it really mean anything at all? The Witch tempted here just so they can fulfil their debts- he isn't sure how long that would be considering his own is to repay for not ruining just one life but two. As far as he's concern, he'll be here for more than decades. As bad that is, he accepts his fate, because the old world is rebuilding itself without him. And Mallory... well, he isn't suppose to be alive.
They're both scrapped out of the old world and won't be seeing it regrow any time soon. Unless...]
Correct my memory, is Koriko specifically a resort island with mostly entertainments and venues?
Edited 2017-02-15 15:18 (UTC)
So the travel brochures claim.
[Working here, he'd call it more like a prison island, or some kind of human zoo. He pulls his attention away from Luna's neck, hating himself for daring to breach his trust once again, and resumes a much more straightforward rubdown of the rest of his back.
He too needs to focus on the actual conversation.]
What're you thinking...?
[He shouldn't even have to say that of course Luna can count him in on any plan he has in mind.]
[Working here, he'd call it more like a prison island, or some kind of human zoo. He pulls his attention away from Luna's neck, hating himself for daring to breach his trust once again, and resumes a much more straightforward rubdown of the rest of his back.
He too needs to focus on the actual conversation.]
What're you thinking...?
[He shouldn't even have to say that of course Luna can count him in on any plan he has in mind.]
How many of the workers you've met so far that are roughly 18 or younger?
[You might be seeing where this is all going.]
[You might be seeing where this is all going.]
[Uhhh...? Give him a second.]
The majority of them, I'd say.
[Of course someone as shady as The Witch would be exploiting child labour where she can. Besides, nobody's as full of ambitious dreams and wishes like someone too young to have them crushed yet.
He leans over to start refilling the wash bucket. He... might see where this is going? Time to test the waters, as it were.]
Most of them definitely look too young to have even graduated high school yet.
The majority of them, I'd say.
[Of course someone as shady as The Witch would be exploiting child labour where she can. Besides, nobody's as full of ambitious dreams and wishes like someone too young to have them crushed yet.
He leans over to start refilling the wash bucket. He... might see where this is going? Time to test the waters, as it were.]
Most of them definitely look too young to have even graduated high school yet.
[He nods with a small 'hmph' sound, that's exactly it.]
The Witch mostly employs teenagers, most of them being around the age of high schoolers. We also both know at this point that, as workers, we're only provided with the barest minimum necessities. Anything else had to be purchased or organized by ourselves.
[And personally, considering it's by no means a post-apocalyptic environment, it doesn't sit entirely well for him. He fold his arms together, closing his eye as he thinks through the following.]
I dislike the idea of kids missing out they can do more beyond what's in front of them.
[Whether it had been Hope's Peak or the Witch, it's common to dismiss potential beyond the naked eye and the children themselves then are programmed to think the same due to their impressionable age.]
It's... easy to think the future is bleak, it's not just you, I would have become a different man if Tengan hadn't guided me on the way. But not just him, building the right enviroment and meeting both you and Chisa really what shaped my adulthood.
Having the right kind of mentors and environment really changes you. After all, youth can't be wasted by being rotten oranges.
[They'll have to turn everyone into youthful jam, is what she would have said.]
The Witch mostly employs teenagers, most of them being around the age of high schoolers. We also both know at this point that, as workers, we're only provided with the barest minimum necessities. Anything else had to be purchased or organized by ourselves.
[And personally, considering it's by no means a post-apocalyptic environment, it doesn't sit entirely well for him. He fold his arms together, closing his eye as he thinks through the following.]
I dislike the idea of kids missing out they can do more beyond what's in front of them.
[Whether it had been Hope's Peak or the Witch, it's common to dismiss potential beyond the naked eye and the children themselves then are programmed to think the same due to their impressionable age.]
It's... easy to think the future is bleak, it's not just you, I would have become a different man if Tengan hadn't guided me on the way. But not just him, building the right enviroment and meeting both you and Chisa really what shaped my adulthood.
Having the right kind of mentors and environment really changes you. After all, youth can't be wasted by being rotten oranges.
[They'll have to turn everyone into youthful jam, is what she would have said.]
[So that spark really didn't die out in him after all. A proud smile spreads across Mal's face as he listens to it roar back to life in Luna's words. Despite his claims that he could have turned out entirely different, Mal just can't imagine him any other way. Those ideals have been a part of him as long as they've known each other, and his passion has always been contagious.
His heart thumps a little harder again, and he wants so badly to just embrace the man in front of him and welcome him back, but, uh. Better keep it to just casually rinsing the suds off his back instead.]
I think I know a guy who'd make a great mentor. Someone with enough conviction to follow through with his ideals and offer hope to even kids stuck with slave labour like this. I'd even say he's a bit of an inspiration to me.
[He stands and circles around to Luna's front, extending his hand out to him.]
I miiight also know a guy who somehow got stuck in HR who might be able to pull a few strings to make this work. You know. If you really want to make your dreams come true.
His heart thumps a little harder again, and he wants so badly to just embrace the man in front of him and welcome him back, but, uh. Better keep it to just casually rinsing the suds off his back instead.]
I think I know a guy who'd make a great mentor. Someone with enough conviction to follow through with his ideals and offer hope to even kids stuck with slave labour like this. I'd even say he's a bit of an inspiration to me.
[He stands and circles around to Luna's front, extending his hand out to him.]
I miiight also know a guy who somehow got stuck in HR who might be able to pull a few strings to make this work. You know. If you really want to make your dreams come true.
[At least someone had a good day. Sure, Mallory got to end the evening with a bit of good company in the form of similarly lonely and bitter Riye, but at the end of the day, he's still just so ready to succumb to sleep and wake up to the holiday being completely over.
He's lying on his futon, hands behind his head, legs crossed and foot tapping impatiently in the air. His gaze flickers from the ceiling to Luna as he makes his entrance, and some of his own frustration melts away just seeing that smile.
You're so beautiful. Good thing he's sobered up enough by now to keep that one to himself. But his eyes do light up with earnest curiosity as he sits up.]
Hey... Someone's in a good mood.
[Which is actually kind of weird, considering what day it is and the fact that Chisa isn't--
wait-
IS SHE HERE? He holds his breath in anticipation.]
He's lying on his futon, hands behind his head, legs crossed and foot tapping impatiently in the air. His gaze flickers from the ceiling to Luna as he makes his entrance, and some of his own frustration melts away just seeing that smile.
You're so beautiful. Good thing he's sobered up enough by now to keep that one to himself. But his eyes do light up with earnest curiosity as he sits up.]
Hey... Someone's in a good mood.
[Which is actually kind of weird, considering what day it is and the fact that Chisa isn't--
wait-
IS SHE HERE? He holds his breath in anticipation.]
[It's a mysterious unsigned note. Who could it possibly be from.]
Human mouths contain enough oral bacteria that bites can cause serious infections if untreated
Human mouths contain enough oral bacteria that bites can cause serious infections if untreated
[Another smaller note followed, after a pause.]
sorry
sorry
I don't think I was in my right mind somehow but
that means it wasn't actually my fault if I was under the influence
that means it wasn't actually my fault if I was under the influence
I don't need to be responsible for your one hand getting infected
I hope you at least cleaned it
I hope you at least cleaned it
[And then he just stalked Mallory to try and peek at how his hand was doing.
The first sign of the man trying to get close to him though, he was darting off. He didn't need any more actual confrontations with the man, he just wanted peace of mind to ease his own conscience.]
The first sign of the man trying to get close to him though, he was darting off. He didn't need any more actual confrontations with the man, he just wanted peace of mind to ease his own conscience.]
[The first letter he ripped up immediately, certain that he was being mocked. The second one gave him pause, but he disposed of it similarly.
And then they just kept on coming. And he didn't know how to feel about them anymore, but in the end, into the trash they all went. One thing was for sure, and that was that he wasn't about to let some stupid brat go and pretend to be concerned for his well-being after attacking him in the first place!
(And he was absolutely not going to feel the least bit hypocritical about that.)
But... his hand was more sore now than it was when Eiji initially bit it. Maybe he really should have taken care of it a lot sooner. After all, it was his last one, and that made it twice as important. He'd dealt with bites before - Despair made men into beasts sometimes - and he was fine then, so he would be fine now! Just rinse it with soap and... hope for the best.
He became much less concerned about his hand when he realized that his feelings of being watched were more than just his usual paranoia for once. WHY. STOP. WHAT WAS THIS KID'S DEAL.
The death glares sent Eiji's way were countless on this day. What a disaster.]
And then they just kept on coming. And he didn't know how to feel about them anymore, but in the end, into the trash they all went. One thing was for sure, and that was that he wasn't about to let some stupid brat go and pretend to be concerned for his well-being after attacking him in the first place!
(And he was absolutely not going to feel the least bit hypocritical about that.)
But... his hand was more sore now than it was when Eiji initially bit it. Maybe he really should have taken care of it a lot sooner. After all, it was his last one, and that made it twice as important. He'd dealt with bites before - Despair made men into beasts sometimes - and he was fine then, so he would be fine now! Just rinse it with soap and... hope for the best.
He became much less concerned about his hand when he realized that his feelings of being watched were more than just his usual paranoia for once. WHY. STOP. WHAT WAS THIS KID'S DEAL.
The death glares sent Eiji's way were countless on this day. What a disaster.]
[Eventually, Eiji managed to catch a clean glimpse of the wound - in between dodging glares and making himself scarce. The bleeding had long stopped, but there was a pinkness around the bite that was nagging at him.
It shouldn't have been his fault if this grown man didn't have enough seek medical help, he told himself. Carelessness was Mallory's problem, and he'd deserve whatever happened. Especially after Eiji had advised him to get his hand looked at.. He'd already done his part, as far as he was concerned.
But he had still been responsible for that wound... even if he hadn't been feeling exactly like himself, it disgusted him to think that he could have ever fallen into such a depraved, irrational state. Eiji wanted to wipe that slate completely clean, and he couldn't if he had caused lasting damage to someone.
Still several yards away, he muttered (possibly to himself?):]
Did you even see a doctor yet...?
It shouldn't have been his fault if this grown man didn't have enough seek medical help, he told himself. Carelessness was Mallory's problem, and he'd deserve whatever happened. Especially after Eiji had advised him to get his hand looked at.. He'd already done his part, as far as he was concerned.
But he had still been responsible for that wound... even if he hadn't been feeling exactly like himself, it disgusted him to think that he could have ever fallen into such a depraved, irrational state. Eiji wanted to wipe that slate completely clean, and he couldn't if he had caused lasting damage to someone.
Still several yards away, he muttered (possibly to himself?):]
Did you even see a doctor yet...?
[A little bit of carelessness, a little bit of spending too many years having a skittish pharmacist slip antibiotics and other healing agents into his food and drink and giving him far more confidence in his own durability than he should have had. Either way, the wound wasn't shaping up to be a festering disaster zone or anything, but it was more irritating and longer-lasting than Mallory would have liked.
Other things that were pissing him off for far too long: BEING FOLLOWED BY THE FUCKER WHO DID IT. By supper, when he heard what sounded like the kid mumbling something to himself, he slammed his dinnerware down on the table.]
If you've got something to say to me, get it over with already!
[Or was he just trying to spring a sneak attack on him to make up for not being able to face off with him behind the kitchens? He'd still lose.]
Other things that were pissing him off for far too long: BEING FOLLOWED BY THE FUCKER WHO DID IT. By supper, when he heard what sounded like the kid mumbling something to himself, he slammed his dinnerware down on the table.]
If you've got something to say to me, get it over with already!
[Or was he just trying to spring a sneak attack on him to make up for not being able to face off with him behind the kitchens? He'd still lose.]
[Eiji's face twitched reflexively, souring into a glare of distaste from where he was hiding. Yeah right, like he had anything to say to a thick-headed thug. Why did he even care again?
Right: the smallest, most minute trace of guilt over something that didn't have a high probability of happening anyway. Well, Mallory's temper certainly corrected that misguided urge.
As pissy and frustrated as ever, Eiji huffed called back:]
Forget it! Apparently, you're too stupid to listen!
[Before running away one more time. THIS TIME, FOR REALSIES, he was not going to bother checking up on him again. For realsies.]
Right: the smallest, most minute trace of guilt over something that didn't have a high probability of happening anyway. Well, Mallory's temper certainly corrected that misguided urge.
As pissy and frustrated as ever, Eiji huffed called back:]
Forget it! Apparently, you're too stupid to listen!
[Before running away one more time. THIS TIME, FOR REALSIES, he was not going to bother checking up on him again. For realsies.]
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