locumstudentesquire | Songerein

[Getting no response isn't surprising. Getting a response much later on is also, not surprising. Doesn't sound like he's happy, of course. It's not like he was going to stay away forever, just...he doesn't really know how to handle this. Was it a good idea to just immediately walk up to the people he has hurt? Or maybe he's not ready to face the outcome.

He looks over the chicken scratch Ryunosuke considers writing a bit more before letting out a sigh. A visit has been long overdue eitherway.]

I'll be there momentarily.

[He can only work around the Wild Harvest so much before he grew tired of the scenary, unable to keep his mind distracted. Ready or not, he's coming over to visit Ryunosuke, like he asked.]

[Ryunosuke doesn't bother answering again, trusting that Kazuma will be good to his word and actually show this time.

He'll find the door unlocked when he arrives next door, and if he bothers knocking anyway he'll get Ryunosuke calling down to him:]

You can let yourself in...!

[Ascending the steps to the main floor, he'll find the so-called master of the house flopped out on the settee in the living room, lounging in the most casual and comfortable kimono he owns. Jugemu the rabbit is sprawled out on the floor next to the couch, nearly mirroring his owner's repose in a rather comical fashion.

Ryunosuke sits up when he sees Kazuma though, a small frown on his lips. When he speaks, he's stern, but not unkind:]

There you are... Certainly took you long enough to come around.

[He does knock, only to discover the door is indeed open to him. So he'll invite himself in, closing the door behind him. The smell of cooked meat will start to fill the home. Kazuma has brought a little peace offering apparently, something wrapped in a furoshiki.

As for himself, he's looking like he could use some more sleep. There were bags under his eyes, and while dress more casually, definitely not as well put together as he usually is. He arrives in time to see Ryunosuke sit up. He hears him talk as he looks to him, Jugemu, the settee and back. Right.]

I brought you something. [He presents the wrapped box. Freshly grilled yakitori awaits within.]

[Oh, Kazuma... Ryunosuke can see right away that he's not his usual prim self, and he instantly starts to feel pretty bad for giving him a hard time.

Bringing an offering of food also goes a long way towards mollifying any lingering annoyance Ryunosuke might have been harboring. His eyes light up, and he sits up the rest of the way, planting his feet on the floor before gratefully taking the package.]

I take it back. You're my hero now, actually. Thank you. Here--

[He pats the freed up side of the settee, encouraging Kazuma to take a seat before he sets to unwrapping the box.]

[Well, that managed to get chuckle out of Kazuma and a headshake. So quick to change his tune once food was involved. He will accept the invitation to sit down beside him while he's busy opening the box. He might have leaned down to give Jugemu a little belly rub as well.]

How's your shoulder?

[With a yakitori skewer already partway to his mouth, Ryunosuke starts to try to shrug in reply-- and of course, immediately regrets it, aborting the motion with a wince.]

...Ack. Ugh... It does hurt still, but it's nothing that won't heal with time. [He waves the stick slightly, arching a brow and shooting him a knowing smirk.] So did you make this yourself? Or did 76 help you? I'm just having a hard time imagining you willingly putting yourself in contact with chicken...

[He tenses when his friend winces. You sure know how to get him to worry. Eventually, he'll relax, but he doesn't seem all too convinced, considering he literally injected venom into him.]

Cooking chicken isn't the same as eating it. [There's something satisfying about roasting chicken.] But 76 did help, for seasoning and taste.

Well it looks delicious and smells delicious, so...

[He takes a bite, and his face lights up immediately. He nods in approval.]

...Yes. It's delicious.

[The peace offering was a success. Eat as much as you want bud, cause he sure ain't touching them.]

I'm glad you're doing better.

[It's nice to hear that from Kazuma, which makes it kind of suck that Ryunosuke has to go and address the elephant in the room. Alas...]

Much better, now that you're here. [He frowns, and waggles a now empty skewer in Kazuma's direction.] So what about you? How are YOU doing?

[Pretty good, it doesn't seem 8/]

Well. . . [He scratches the back of his neck. The question feels awkward, considering he was the one causing so much harm to others.]

Pretty miserable, to be honest. Just been trying to move on after what happened, but... [The screams, the chaos, his friends getting hurt because of him. Killed almost. His experience is just written all over his face, getting pulled back into it. Gods, he couldn't stop it.]

[Ryunosuke is watching his reaction closely, in that uncanny way he sometimes has a knack for.

He puts down the empty skewer, huffing a little sigh.]

...I want to tell you that it's not your fault... But I have a hunch you won't accept that as the truth, even if I do.

Hm, is that really the truth...? [He leans back a little.] Wouldn't be the first time someone told me that. I'm trying to believe it, but Hyde isn't just something completely formed out of thin air...

[Can't really deny there was a side of him that nearly went to the deep end once.] You got the better end of the bargain. Turning into a dragon? You're actually living up to your name.

[Rather than looking pleased by the suggestion like he had during the Flower Festival, a complicated expression takes over Ryunosuke's features. He diverts his gaze down to his hands, fidgeting.]

Maybe... But if Hyde coming from you is supposed to mean something, then I'm not sure what that dragon says about me. I mean... When I first changed, I completely lost control.

...Well, you hadn't done it before, and your life was under threat. Perhaps you were simply running on instinct, to survive. [A curious glance.]

It was just the one time, right...? [It's an essence so it technically didn't linger, right? So...it's fine?]

[The wince on his face would indicate that he's not particularly comforted by the quantity being so small, alas. Ryunosuke shivers, working up to an explanation.]

Yes, but. It was more than just survival instinct. It... It wanted to destroy Hyde. Completely.

[A wry smile. What's with that unsettling laugh...?]

Would that be so terrible? [It just, came out of his mouth before he could stop himself.] Ah, sorry. . .but you did regain awareness, before he...I- [His eyes wander to his partner's shoulder where Hyde had struck.]

[Oh no, mister. You're not blowing past that joke THAT easily. Ryunosuke's stunned a second, and then shoots back VERY emphatically:]

Yes! It would, if it meant taking you down with him!!!

[He huffs, taking an aggressive bite of chicken, talking with his mouth partly full for a moment:]

That's what was so disturbing... I, or it-- [gulp.] --I don't even know which... We didn't even differentiate. It was like nothing else mattered, except...

[He shakes his head sadly, forcing himself to stop dwelling on it, and come back around to Kazuma's question instead.]

...76 managed to snap me out of it, by interfering the way he did... So. Yes...

It would mean no one would get hurt. [Sounded like he was prepared for that outcome, if it came to it. He takes a deep breath, moving a hand to rest on Ryunosuke's shoulder.]

If you can be snapped of it, then you would have eventually been able to take control. I'm sure of it. [A small smile.] Don't sell yourself short.

[Ryunosuke laughs quietly.]

I'm not trying to. Honestly. I suppose what I'm really trying to say is... I know it's not exactly the same, but. I think maybe I understand a little bit better now... What it's like, to have something like that take control. And most importantly, I need you to know that... That I don't blame you at all. For this.

[He nods his head slightly towards his bad shoulder.]

...And I hope you're not blaming yourself for it, either.

...hm. [And here he is, doing the same thing Ryunosuke was trying with him. Reassure him despite it all. He looks at the shoulder he had his hand on. A soft bit of laughter. They're still here, and all right in the end. That's more important, isn't it?]

I can't say that thought hasn't crossed my mind several times already. But it's an easier pill to swallow when you have a partner who can spin an argument back around. [An honest attempt at least.]

[Wow, flatterer. His eyebrows go up a bit, and he grins sardonically.]

And I'll keep spinning it as much as I have to, until you fully agree. Don't think I won't.

Heh, all right, all right. I wouldn't expect otherwise from you anyway. [He looks to the pond in the middle of the room, observing the fishies.]

From what I hear, you're just as tenacious in the courts.

[Ryunosuke's expression grows momentarily wistful. He really does miss lawyering...

The look is fleeting, though, and he snorts lightly with amusement.]

Stated as if you didn't have a single hand involved in teaching me to be that way. [He smirks and nudges Kazuma's knee with his own, in the absence of being able to elbow him.] Well, maybe you'll get to experience it yourself soon.

[If he manages to go home like they'd discussed...]

...That was a promise we made to each other, you know. Before I left England. That we would lock horns in court again someday, when your apprenticeship finished, and you returned to Japan.

[A glance after that nudge.] So you actually learned something from me during that time? And here I thought you were letting your stomach do the talking. [Like drinking and eating the evidence. He's teasing of course.

As he listens to the "promise" they apparently made, a smile simply dances on his lips.]

That sounds like a promise I would make. I imagine my performance during Van Zieks' trial was...well, not quite up to standards. [Probably the nicest way to put it.] I certainly look forward to having a trial with you on more even grounds.

Songerein | IC Inbox

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject