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[But. It was not for realsies.
Somehow - though he couldn't say how - he found himself loitering outside the door of room 001when Luna conveniently wasn't around. Eiji had stormed back to the employee quarters earlier, intent on rage eating some chocolate alone in his room. Instead, he managed to find a small container of ointment he'd bought the month before, back when he'd been cutting his hands constantly whenever he cooked due to a spree of bad luck.
The misfortune had ended, and so had his use for this healing salve. He'd ended up staring at it for a long time, contemplating on the stupidity of giving a damn. Then somehow... he ended up here.
It took forever to actually knock on the door. Even when he did, he looked incredibly sullen about it, half-expecting to get punched the second it opened.]
Somehow - though he couldn't say how - he found himself loitering outside the door of room 001
The misfortune had ended, and so had his use for this healing salve. He'd ended up staring at it for a long time, contemplating on the stupidity of giving a damn. Then somehow... he ended up here.
It took forever to actually knock on the door. Even when he did, he looked incredibly sullen about it, half-expecting to get punched the second it opened.]
[Mal's hate for teenagers was still for realsies.
How convenient it was for him to be in but Luna to be out, but not entirely unusual. Luna took on several more shifts than was healthy for him, after all. (And what the hell was Mal doing? Useless, useless, he should have been the one with guard duty-)
Predictably enough, he wasn't in the best of moods when he opened the door. He didn't greet Eiji with a punch, but his distaste was evident in the glare he offered instead. Again, really? What the hell was wrong with this kid?!]
What.
[Please. He was so tired.]
How convenient it was for him to be in but Luna to be out, but not entirely unusual. Luna took on several more shifts than was healthy for him, after all. (And what the hell was Mal doing? Useless, useless, he should have been the one with guard duty-)
Predictably enough, he wasn't in the best of moods when he opened the door. He didn't greet Eiji with a punch, but his distaste was evident in the glare he offered instead. Again, really? What the hell was wrong with this kid?!]
What.
[Please. He was so tired.]
[At least the distaste was mutual. Eiji wasn't even looking at him when he extended the salve towards Mallory. The words might as well have been dragged, kicking and screaming, out his mouth, and he sounded just as thrilled as he looked.]
If you're not going to see a doctor, you should at least be using something for that bite. I don't want you going around telling people it was my fault you lost functionality in your hand.
[Because. It still wasn't his fault. At all. He was only here because it didn't cost him anything extra to offer something to cure his own totally nonexistent guilt.]
If you're not going to see a doctor, you should at least be using something for that bite. I don't want you going around telling people it was my fault you lost functionality in your hand.
[Because. It still wasn't his fault. At all. He was only here because it didn't cost him anything extra to offer something to cure his own totally nonexistent guilt.]
Edited 2017-02-18 06:43 (UTC)
[He took the container and held it between two fingers, turning it this way and that. Eve that simple motion was kind of sore in his palm, but he refused to give Eiji the satisfaction of having it show.]
How many ways did you want to kill me, again? Poison's one of them, huh?
[Seriously, did he think he was an idiot?]
How many ways did you want to kill me, again? Poison's one of them, huh?
[Seriously, did he think he was an idiot?]
[Ugh. Well, there was probably no convincing him that what Eiji had said in a fit of extremely uncharacteristic anger weren't true. He crossed his arms and huffed.]
If that were the case, I'd have better chances hoping the infection starts swelling, attacking your nerves or tendons to the point where your one good hand was no longer useable due to permanent damage. Depending on the bacteria, you may have to amputate, too.
That'd be a better 'death' for a boxer... But killing doesn't have a point here. You'd just be back, with a bigger debt tacked on for the resurrection. Which means we'd be stuck working together even longer.
Any way you look at it, it's stupid.
If that were the case, I'd have better chances hoping the infection starts swelling, attacking your nerves or tendons to the point where your one good hand was no longer useable due to permanent damage. Depending on the bacteria, you may have to amputate, too.
That'd be a better 'death' for a boxer... But killing doesn't have a point here. You'd just be back, with a bigger debt tacked on for the resurrection. Which means we'd be stuck working together even longer.
Any way you look at it, it's stupid.
Edited 2017-02-18 07:05 (UTC)
I haven't gotten the slightest clue what you're talking about.
[Which is lie, there's an undeniable lightness to his step that he can't possibly hide. He's acting as if he's 21 again and fate seems to be in his reach to change it for a better future. His mood had been chipper courtesy of someone giving him chocolates, fresh batches from the kitchen they had said. He ate them all within the day, it would not only be impolite to not eat them but also he can indirectly support fellow workers in the kitchen.
Ever since then, the heaviness in his heart disappear into thin air. When he's close enough to Mallory, Luna wraps his arms around his friend. He hasn't seen him all day, and his first instinct is just to envelope him to a loving embrace.]
I just happen to have met the loveliest lady I've have seen in some time.
[His flutters when he remembers her, recalling how much her charm can be so enticing.]
[Which is lie, there's an undeniable lightness to his step that he can't possibly hide. He's acting as if he's 21 again and fate seems to be in his reach to change it for a better future. His mood had been chipper courtesy of someone giving him chocolates, fresh batches from the kitchen they had said. He ate them all within the day, it would not only be impolite to not eat them but also he can indirectly support fellow workers in the kitchen.
Ever since then, the heaviness in his heart disappear into thin air. When he's close enough to Mallory, Luna wraps his arms around his friend. He hasn't seen him all day, and his first instinct is just to envelope him to a loving embrace.]
I just happen to have met the loveliest lady I've have seen in some time.
[His flutters when he remembers her, recalling how much her charm can be so enticing.]
[That was not the kind of image he wanted in his mind, like, ever, but Eiji put so much loving detail into it Mallory was positive he'd been fantasizing about that very scenario for quite some time. Just the thought of losing his other hand made his stomach burn with anxious nausea, but he grit his teeth and reminded himself just which hand it was that shattered Eiji's skull in the first place. He hoped the punk remembered, too.]
Finally, something we can see eye-to-eye on. But watch it with the graphic descriptions. Unless you've already forgotten last time.
Finally, something we can see eye-to-eye on. But watch it with the graphic descriptions. Unless you've already forgotten last time.
[The last time he had a run-in with Mallory's metal fist hadn't gone forgotten, but Eiji still seemed largely unfazed. If anything, he looked more bothered by Mallory's misinterpretation of his descriptions.]
That wasn't graphic... that was just an explanation of what could happen. I wanted to make sure you understood how severe it could become.
Cat bites are the worst, due to their fangs acting like needles that can deliver bacteria deep underneath the skin - their infection rate is 80%. Human incisors aren't as well designed for puncturing, but the odds are probably around 10%.
[Please shut up you nerd.]
That wasn't graphic... that was just an explanation of what could happen. I wanted to make sure you understood how severe it could become.
Cat bites are the worst, due to their fangs acting like needles that can deliver bacteria deep underneath the skin - their infection rate is 80%. Human incisors aren't as well designed for puncturing, but the odds are probably around 10%.
[Please shut up you nerd.]
[His happiness has always been so contagious. It's always been like a drug that Mal just couldn't have enough of, but in recent years it had become so scarce and valuable that even the slightest dose just left him craving it more and more before the high was even over. Luna's smile is like the sun, banishing the darkness that's been clouding Mal's heart all evening, enough to take his mind off his self-loathing, off his fight with the only person he might have been forming a friendship with here, off how damn lonely he was on Valentine's Day-
-and when Luna hugs him, everything dissipates from his mind. A cacophony of new ones come flooding in all at once, making his head spin.
He's warm. This is strange, isn't it? He smells so clean. Is this the real Luna? Did he discover who left him those chocolates? Did Riye figure Mal out and tell on him? Let this last forever. Does he really deserve this after everything he's done? Don't let go. Please don't let go.
I love you so much.
He can feel his heart pounding in his ears, and a trembling hand reaches up to clutch at the back of Luna's shirt. Maybe it's the residual drunkenness, but he could just kiss him right now. He really could!
He... really...]
-and when Luna hugs him, everything dissipates from his mind. A cacophony of new ones come flooding in all at once, making his head spin.
He's warm. This is strange, isn't it? He smells so clean. Is this the real Luna? Did he discover who left him those chocolates? Did Riye figure Mal out and tell on him? Let this last forever. Does he really deserve this after everything he's done? Don't let go. Please don't let go.
I love you so much.
He can feel his heart pounding in his ears, and a trembling hand reaches up to clutch at the back of Luna's shirt. Maybe it's the residual drunkenness, but he could just kiss him right now. He really could!
He... really...]
[Just as he turns his head to act on that daring idea, Luna speaks.
I just happened to have met the loveliest lady. . .
The rest is drowned out by... something. Maybe it's his pulse again, but instead of the pleasant warmth spreading through his body seconds before, his blood runs icy cold.
What about Yukizome? An age-old resentment bubbles up inside of him, and he wants so badly to tell himself that it's righteous indignation for the honour of his other best friend, but there's another thought that accompanies it. What about ME?
No-
He knew better. He always knew better. He wants to laugh, or scream or something, but he just kind of stares blankly ahead, his grip on Luna's shirt loosening. He is a little shocked that he's gone and moved on so quickly, but... it's not like he wants to see him in sorrowful mourning forever, either.
So what ABOUT me, his heart screams, and he does his best to ignore it. This is about Luna. About Luna. Everything's always been about Luna.]
...Oh...?
[That's the most he can force out right now. He doesn't actually want to hear any more of it. Not tonight. Please.]
I just happened to have met the loveliest lady. . .
The rest is drowned out by... something. Maybe it's his pulse again, but instead of the pleasant warmth spreading through his body seconds before, his blood runs icy cold.
What about Yukizome? An age-old resentment bubbles up inside of him, and he wants so badly to tell himself that it's righteous indignation for the honour of his other best friend, but there's another thought that accompanies it. What about ME?
No-
He knew better. He always knew better. He wants to laugh, or scream or something, but he just kind of stares blankly ahead, his grip on Luna's shirt loosening. He is a little shocked that he's gone and moved on so quickly, but... it's not like he wants to see him in sorrowful mourning forever, either.
So what ABOUT me, his heart screams, and he does his best to ignore it. This is about Luna. About Luna. Everything's always been about Luna.]
...Oh...?
[That's the most he can force out right now. He doesn't actually want to hear any more of it. Not tonight. Please.]
Edited 2017-02-18 07:41 (UTC)
[He nods, closing his eye as he recalls the encounter in the library. It had been rather quiet, with Riye excusing herself to go to the employee kitchen for awhile, which he's fine covering for her for the time being. He finish shelving books that by the time she came, he's actually taking a break and reading up some old favorites while the library had been near to empty.]
She was initially lost, but then she stayed after we started discussing various topics and interests. She even gave me some chocolates she had on hand, I couldn't possibly refused.
[It's surprising to find someone paler than he is, but he could remember the contrasting pale skin against long, dark hair. The air around her just had beauty and elegance he has never seen before, not in the way she has.
Yukizome had been an unstoppable sunshine, but perhaps, within age, he needed someone whose more serene. His voices grows softer as he holds Mallory tightly.]
I didn't think I'd found someone so soon, but I suppose it's similar to you and Riye, we suddenly hit off so well quickly.
She was initially lost, but then she stayed after we started discussing various topics and interests. She even gave me some chocolates she had on hand, I couldn't possibly refused.
[It's surprising to find someone paler than he is, but he could remember the contrasting pale skin against long, dark hair. The air around her just had beauty and elegance he has never seen before, not in the way she has.
Yukizome had been an unstoppable sunshine, but perhaps, within age, he needed someone whose more serene. His voices grows softer as he holds Mallory tightly.]
I didn't think I'd found someone so soon, but I suppose it's similar to you and Riye, we suddenly hit off so well quickly.
[Of all the times to finally get to feel those strong arms around him, it feels more like they're wrapping directly around his heart and squeezing the life out of it. He needs space. He needs air. He's trying desperately to listen to what Luna's saying but his focus on the words keeps swimming in and out. Something about him and Riye? What does that even... oh... that's what Luna thinks, huh?
He's going to be sick.
His mouth is so, so dry that it's a struggle to swallow down the lump in his throat, and when he finally manages it just feels more uncomfortable than before. He pats Luna a little too firmly on the back a few times.]
Hey, that's- great. I'm glad to hear it. You lucky dog.
[Like reading words off a prompter. Lying to Luna's nothing new. He needs to get out of here before the cracks begin to show again.]
--Oh, crap. Speaking of Riye... [You would not believe how badly I fucked up tonight.] I think I forgot my wallet when we went out earlier. Tell me all about this girl when I get back.
[Except don't, not really. Mal's not going to be in any particular hurry to get back, but at least he'll have taken the time to calm himself down and accept that this is the way things are and always will be.]
He's going to be sick.
His mouth is so, so dry that it's a struggle to swallow down the lump in his throat, and when he finally manages it just feels more uncomfortable than before. He pats Luna a little too firmly on the back a few times.]
Hey, that's- great. I'm glad to hear it. You lucky dog.
[Like reading words off a prompter. Lying to Luna's nothing new. He needs to get out of here before the cracks begin to show again.]
--Oh, crap. Speaking of Riye... [You would not believe how badly I fucked up tonight.] I think I forgot my wallet when we went out earlier. Tell me all about this girl when I get back.
[Except don't, not really. Mal's not going to be in any particular hurry to get back, but at least he'll have taken the time to calm himself down and accept that this is the way things are and always will be.]
[Still graphic enough that if those stupid kids were around he'd be down another hand, he's sure. Although now that Eiji was going on about cat bites instead, it was becoming a lot harder to tell just what his intentions really were. He raised an eyebrow.]
Really into clinical stuff like that, huh...?
[Or just morbid and edgy? If it was the former, that could make him really useful. Even if death didn't mean much here, it still wasn't a great thing to go through, and preventing long and complicated ones sounded ideal.
He was just going to rub some of that in right here, right now. Might as well do it when he had someone around to close the damn container for him because he knew that was going to be a pain in the ass with his present circumstances.]
Really into clinical stuff like that, huh...?
[Or just morbid and edgy? If it was the former, that could make him really useful. Even if death didn't mean much here, it still wasn't a great thing to go through, and preventing long and complicated ones sounded ideal.
He was just going to rub some of that in right here, right now. Might as well do it when he had someone around to close the damn container for him because he knew that was going to be a pain in the ass with his present circumstances.]
[He finally releases Mallory from the embrace, though his hand automatically goes for the former boxer's good hand. Luna doesn't seem to realize it he's doing it, he's just going with whatever feeling urges him to do so for once and he figures his friend wouldn't mind much.
He's excited to just talk more of the wonderful women he has the pleasure of meeting earlier today, his heart's ready to burst from just thinking about her and at the very least he wants to confide it to Mallory.]
Have you checked through our room and your pockets? It would be, well, unfortunate if it turns out it's been here all along.
[The grip he has on his friend's hand wavers a bit. He's hesitant of letting him go just yet.]
He's excited to just talk more of the wonderful women he has the pleasure of meeting earlier today, his heart's ready to burst from just thinking about her and at the very least he wants to confide it to Mallory.]
Have you checked through our room and your pockets? It would be, well, unfortunate if it turns out it's been here all along.
[The grip he has on his friend's hand wavers a bit. He's hesitant of letting him go just yet.]
[Why... why is he doing this? Why now? Does he have any idea how much this hurts? Of course he doesn't. He only sees the bed of roses and only Mal can feel the thorns. On top of his disastrous dinner with Riye, this is all too much for him to take in one day.
He never thought he'd be the one to pull his hand away from Luna's.]
No no, I remember exactly where I left it.
[He knows he never had it with him in the first place, only loose change.]
I'll be back.
[He can promise that much. He just can't say when.]
He never thought he'd be the one to pull his hand away from Luna's.]
No no, I remember exactly where I left it.
[He knows he never had it with him in the first place, only loose change.]
I'll be back.
[He can promise that much. He just can't say when.]
[Luna lets his hand rest on the floor with reluctance, he isn't really hiding the confused look in his face.]
Well... alright then. Don't go out too long, I hope. [?]
Well... alright then. Don't go out too long, I hope. [?]
Mmh... Yeah.
[It's strange, for him to feel simultaneously heavy with grief but also like he's floating right out the door. Like he isn't even the one ushering his body down the hall, just to get him out of there, get him anywhere right now. Anything but to deal with this. If only he could wake up tomorrow and the whole day was just a dream.
He's still stunned that Luna could move on so quickly, especially since they lived in the shadow of the very real possibility that Chisa could just show up one day. It didn't feel real that Luna would cast her aside so quickly.
It didn't feel real when he tossed him aside, either.
That's right... For so long he thought that the bonds the three of them shared were unbreakable, but all it had taken was a single day for the pillars built by years of love to be crushed to dust. This was the real Luna, wasn't it? So ambitious and willing to do whatever he had to for his ideals that he would cast aside even those he called his trusted friends as soon as they stopped being useful to them.
And damn it all, Mal's still so desperate to prove that he can still be of use.
Riye said something about being put on a pedestal, didn't she? How many years had Mal raised Luna so high above himself that he was too distant to notice the cracks?
Suddenly the silence of the first floor is broken by a loud crack as a fist goes right through the wall by the stairway. Mal chokes back a helpless laugh.
Luna... When did you fall into Despair?
And why was he blind enough to follow?]
[It's strange, for him to feel simultaneously heavy with grief but also like he's floating right out the door. Like he isn't even the one ushering his body down the hall, just to get him out of there, get him anywhere right now. Anything but to deal with this. If only he could wake up tomorrow and the whole day was just a dream.
He's still stunned that Luna could move on so quickly, especially since they lived in the shadow of the very real possibility that Chisa could just show up one day. It didn't feel real that Luna would cast her aside so quickly.
It didn't feel real when he tossed him aside, either.
That's right... For so long he thought that the bonds the three of them shared were unbreakable, but all it had taken was a single day for the pillars built by years of love to be crushed to dust. This was the real Luna, wasn't it? So ambitious and willing to do whatever he had to for his ideals that he would cast aside even those he called his trusted friends as soon as they stopped being useful to them.
And damn it all, Mal's still so desperate to prove that he can still be of use.
Riye said something about being put on a pedestal, didn't she? How many years had Mal raised Luna so high above himself that he was too distant to notice the cracks?
Suddenly the silence of the first floor is broken by a loud crack as a fist goes right through the wall by the stairway. Mal chokes back a helpless laugh.
Luna... When did you fall into Despair?
And why was he blind enough to follow?]
[It certainly won't be a smooth road ahead of him- them. But given the time and patience, they could pool enough resources to make this work. There's an odd timing when he feels hot water running down his back as he thinks in delight at the thought of planning ideas and trying to make them a reality. A brighter future.
He breaks out a small grin as his hand reach out to Mallory's.]
I hope you introduce these people to me, we could use all the help we could get, and they seem more than perfect for the job.
He breaks out a small grin as his hand reach out to Mallory's.]
I hope you introduce these people to me, we could use all the help we could get, and they seem more than perfect for the job.
[It didn't strike him as morbid or cold, the facts simply... were. Regardless of whatever dressing people wanted to interpret them with, they'd still be true. But it wasn't information that maybe most teenagers would rattle off, maybe.]
I was studying to get into med school... my parents are doctors too - surgeons.
[It was with an air of hesitation that he disclosed that, but if it gave Mallory context for this clinical-ness, then maybe that would help ease suspicion off his motivations.]
I was studying to get into med school... my parents are doctors too - surgeons.
[It was with an air of hesitation that he disclosed that, but if it gave Mallory context for this clinical-ness, then maybe that would help ease suspicion off his motivations.]
Hnh.
[Was studying. Another one pulled out too early by the Witch? Obviously it had to be that and not something stupid like becoming a dark gritty seinen protagonist. Then that made Eiji exactly the kind of kid Luna would be interested in. Especially with such a useful skill... It only occurs to him now that not having Seiko around is probably going to bite them in the ass in the long run.
It is a good thing Luna's much more of a people person than Mal is. Maybe if he pretends not to be involved they can hit it off.]
Alright, so you know your stuff. Fine. How many times a day do I need to put this crap on?
[He hands the tub and cap back to Eiji, hoping he doesn't have to point out that one sore and slimy hand and one false one of limited mobility does not make for easy closing.]
[Was studying. Another one pulled out too early by the Witch? Obviously it had to be that and not something stupid like becoming a dark gritty seinen protagonist. Then that made Eiji exactly the kind of kid Luna would be interested in. Especially with such a useful skill... It only occurs to him now that not having Seiko around is probably going to bite them in the ass in the long run.
It is a good thing Luna's much more of a people person than Mal is. Maybe if he pretends not to be involved they can hit it off.]
Alright, so you know your stuff. Fine. How many times a day do I need to put this crap on?
[He hands the tub and cap back to Eiji, hoping he doesn't have to point out that one sore and slimy hand and one false one of limited mobility does not make for easy closing.]
I'd guess twice a day, at least until the redness goes away.
[He wasn't a real doctor, and he wouldn't claim to be considering... none of that was going to be happening anyway. All he could give was a best estimate.
It took a second for him to pick up that Mallory needed help screwing the cap back on - of course. So his prosthetic hand really was that limited. That was a nugget of information he'd tuck away. Eiji did so without much fanfare, then handed it back.]
[He wasn't a real doctor, and he wouldn't claim to be considering... none of that was going to be happening anyway. All he could give was a best estimate.
It took a second for him to pick up that Mallory needed help screwing the cap back on - of course. So his prosthetic hand really was that limited. That was a nugget of information he'd tuck away. Eiji did so without much fanfare, then handed it back.]
[He's still pretty wound up by the time he receives the note, but at least he's managed to work off most of the excessive rage in his system. Of course it just flares up again when he reads the note, directed at himself, because that was a pretty stupid asshole move to do. The gym is a sacred place and he fucked it up.
Like everything else!!
Whatever. He crumples the note up and throws it away.
. . .
And then an hour later he finally shoots a note back:]
I'll help clean a little
if you need it
Like everything else!!
Whatever. He crumples the note up and throws it away.
. . .
And then an hour later he finally shoots a note back:]
I'll help clean a little
if you need it
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