tunasub | waiting for a lonely death...

[ after dropping usagi off at school, they were on the way to do other errands. what are those errands? i don't know who cares we can think of that later. regardless, on their way there, a downpour suddenly springs up.

steph grabs hikage's arm and runs towards a bus shelter close by; they're in the more suburb part of the city, so they have less options for cover, unfortunately. ]

The news didn't say anything about rain!

[ he's been hearing rain every night for the last 100 years - he's a little tired of it, even if he hasn't actually felt it in as long. Hikage follows after her, wearing a disgruntled expression. There are a lot of things to get used to in this new world, and most of them are more convenient... but he does wish he still had a cape for situations like this. ]

You really don't have an umbrella?

[ as if she should be carrying one around all the time, just in case... he instinctively starts to hold out one hand to materialize one for the both of them, but that ability was long gone in the castle and definitely long gone in the real world. Meaning he also doesn't have one. Sigh. ]

Where would I put it? My bra?

[ hikage... :/

if the rain lessened just a bit she would suggest making a run for it. steoh holds a hand out, catching some drops before before pulling it back under the cover. ]

We could just wait it out.

[ steph......... pwease don't talk about your bra in front of him, he'll get embarrassed. For real, he turns slightly pink at the mention of it, because he's 90 years old in his soul. ]

I-I don't know... [ mumbled in the poutiest voice. Hikage shakes his head, as if ridding himself of thoughts of brassieres. ] ... I guess that's the best option. It's too far to walk.

[ she knows Why he's blushing, and it's evident in the way that she just smiles. one day you'll see her bra, hikage. one day. ]

If it takes too long, I guess we could just make a break for it...

[ which means they'd get soaked and hikage will probably nag about them catching a cold. so, that'll be a last case scenario. ]

[ ONE DAY...

he sighs, returning to his default state of "moderately annoyed" as he leans against the back wall of the bus stop, and looks out at the city. Gotham looks fairly ominous under the dark stormclouds, even in the summer - the tall, dark buildings seem taller and darker than ever, and all around, he can hear the still-unfamiliar sounds of cars and radios and bustling city life beneath the pattering of the rain. But to him, it's the opposite of frightening. It's alive, and open; even this rain isn't locked away behind an impenetrable wall of glass. He could reach out and touch it if he wanted to. ]

It's always raining lately. Everywhere I go... [ a pause. ] ... Do the leaves change here when it turns to fall?

Yeah. It's not as dramatic looking at other places though. [ she assumes it probably looks pretty stunning in vermont? sadly, they are not in vermont. ] And it snows here, although I guess you already saw snow in the castle...

[ the memory of that actually makes her smile though; it was before she injured, so they got to play in the snow together. ]

We could try finding a good spot to see the leaves though, if you want.

It's not like I could really enjoy it back then.

[ ... despite that time they played in it together. He'd still been trying to hide who he was. At the time, he'd considered that excursion a brief moment of weakness and self-indulgence, told himself it was a good way of winning her trust so that he could manipulate her more easily if he had to. The "story" was still ongoing, too, of course. Even if he'd wanted to, he couldn't have relaxed. ]

... But yeah. I want to see them.

[ his voice is a little quieter. It feels embarrassing to admit that; he hates showing vulnerability. But it's been 100 years. He misses the seasons - he misses life in general. ]

Then we're going to see them.

[ it's as simple as that. hikage didn't get to have a life that was kind to him, so steph is going to do everything possible to make sure he gets it now. it won't make up for what had already happened, but... she wants to make him smile. ]

It'll be a road trip!

You have to go that far away?

[ a little petulant. he remembers that in his past life, the manor they lived in was right in the middle of the woods - all he had to do was look outside. At the time, he didn't really pay any attention, but looking back, it seems like a luxury. ]

Well, it's not like I have anything better to do... Are you allowed to just leave your "job" like that? You shouldn't be irresponsible. You have schoolwork, too.

[ hikage is like a mom and a child at the same time, somehow, god. steph rolls her eyes, turning to face him properly. ]

It'll be fine. Gotham will be okay without me for just a little while.

[ she does not touch the schoolwork thing. it's fine she has the syllabus. ]

[ SOMEONE HAS TO BE RESPONSIBLE AROUND HERE!! imagine how clean her house is now. ]

If you say so.

[ he makes it sound like he doesn't want to go, with how much he nags, but he almost certainly does. In the distance, there's the unmistakable low rumble of thunder - which surprises Hikage slightly, entirely because he hasn't heard it in so long. ]

... Give me a break.

Well, that's not good.

[ getting stuck outside while it's raining is one thing, getting stuck outside during a full-blown storm is another. ]

Should we make a break for it?

[back home (ah, but this world is his "home" now, isn't it?), the weather was always good. kind of has to be, when you don't have a sky anymore. so belph, for one, doesn't mind the rain at all. for now, it's still a novelty to him—a reminder to him that he's escaped that cage.

... which means he's making zero attempt to find cover at the moment. sorry, hikage.]

[ where would Belph be without Hikage to worry over him 24/7? Dead, clearly. The two of them are out running some errand - learning how to navigate the city independently is an important skill - when this nonsense starts up, and he can hardly believe it when he exits a store and catches up to Belph only to find him standing out in the cold. ]

What the hell are you doing? You're going to catch a cold like that. Come over here.

[ this time, he does have an umbrella. ]

Aaaaand, there's the nagger.

[honestly, he was pretty much expecting this.]

Can't I enjoy the novelty while it lasts?

[ he's not even going to comment on being called a nag. Is it because he already knows and is tired of hearing it, or because he's more worried about Belph standing in the rain? You decide. ]

You'll stop enjoying it when you get back with wet socks and a runny nose. You should know better. [ he's holding out the umbrella to Belph! Get under it with him, scrub. ]

[So like.

Sholmes has an umbrella when he steps over to whatever awning Lupin is taking cover under, but he's not sharing it. Instead, like a total weirdo, he is definitely going to just show up and stand there for a few minutes.

SUP.]

Good heavens. [Finally.] What dismal weather. [Sholmes, you did not just show up here to talk about the weather.]

[ Why.

Of all the people to show up at this moment, why did it have to be Sholmes. Lupin will never understand how this man always manages to find him, no matter how inconvenient; he only wishes he knew how to stop it. He's standing under an awning outside of a small apartment complex, which means he has plenty of space to watch the other man come over oh-so-purposefully and then proceed to stand there.

With his umbrella. Which Lupin forgot, because for once, he decided not to bring his cane with him. ]

You... [ frowning. ] Your umbrella's gonna drip on me. Can't you go stand over there instead?

[ pointing... across the street, to a different building, which is far away from Lupin (important.) ]

[He............

Tilts the umbrella a little, in Lupin's direction.

OH NO LUPIN LOOK OUT, WATER IS DRIPPING.]

I can't imagine what I would have to gain by standing over there.

[At that random building. Sholmes glances over at it, and:]

There have been no crimes that have occurred at or within a three meter radius of that building for nearly four years.

[Remarkable!!

So he thinks it's boring.]

[ SIDESTEPPING AWAY FROM SHOLMES AND HIS STUPID UMBRELLA!! And his stupid body. Fortunately, Lupin still remains under the awning that's keeping him out of the rain, but only barely. It's not that big. Which only makes Sholmes' presence all the more irritating. ]

... Are you waiting for someone to commit a crime? You need a hobby.

[ he's pretty sure Sholmes isn't following him, because he's certain he would have noticed!! Right? Right?? ]

It's not like this building's a criminal hotspot, either.

[ they're standing in front of a candy store. Lupin was buying(?!) treats for Delly and Cardia... ]

[He's not waiting for someone to commit a crime... over there.

Over here might be a different matter entirely.]

Oh? But you are here, aren't you?

[Sholmes, please.]

Besides, I rather believe this place is about to get even more interesting soon.

[Sorry about your peaceful treat buying evening, Lupin... there are going to be shenanigans soon.]

You can't arrest me for buying candy.

[ not that he'd be able to even if he wanted to, of course. Lupin's already plotted out a few different escape plans in case he needs to dash off. However, he's also fairly confident that Sholmes wouldn't just show up and have a friendly chat with him if he was seriously intending to bring him down at last.

Probably. ]

... What's that mean? Did you hear something?

Don't be alarmed. When I come to arrest you, you will know.

[Isn't that reassuring!!]

Are you interested, though?

[He looks!! Kind of amused!!]

If you are, perhaps I will share what I know.

[Here's the count!

With groceries. He's running his own errands today and his gaze is drifting upward as he stands in the doorway of a shop, humming a faint note of displeasure as he notes the rainfall.]

I wonder which shall last longer - the rainfall or the stomachs of everyone back at the mansion if I'm delayed...?

[Well, he's going to turn back if not stopped to go and purchase an umbrella! Pragmatic man.

did lupin tag along for shopping or is he going to show up with a solution just in the nick of time like he always does whO CAN SAY]

[ it's Lupin. What do you think is going to happen? ]

Hey, Count! You forgot something.

[ the familiar voice is followed by an umbrella being poked in his general direction, the arm holding it belonging to none other than one Arsène Lupin. Who is, naturally, here in the nick of time with a solution. It's basically his job. ]

Cardia was fretting about you getting stuck out here in the rain, and I can't bear to ignore a young maiden's worries.

[ even if he's 200% sure Saint-Germain isn't actually in any danger - Cardia's understanding of how sickness works is fuzzy at best, and she's so cute that he can't help but indulge her. Also, maybe he also felt bad for his poor friend getting sopping wet out in the rain. Maybe.......!! ]

Oh? You're delightfully reliable as always.

[because even if he didn't quite foresee this exact set of events happening he's also not super surprised. now if this was impey suddenly being useful that would be another thing! still though, saint-germain will now be able to save some cash and not have to buy a new umbrella so that's pretty good

more cash to buy something ridiculous and eccentric later!]

In that case, you've won not only our young lady's appreciation but mine as well.

[and probably like. everyone else since sanchan was totally buying dinner for EVERYONE. lupin saves the day again.]

[ saving the day is basically his job... saving Saint-germain's money, on the other hand, Lupin has no interest in, considering he seems to essentially have an infinite amount of it...... ]

Keep it. You know I owe you a lot more than this.

[ he opens the umbrella, holding it out over the count's head and beckoning him to come nestle in. His plan had been to give it to him, but he's carrying a bunch of bags, so it looks like he'll be on umbrella duty today. ]

What'd you get?

[Rain has never much bothered Naoise, even if he certainly goes past his limit and get sick sometimes. As always, he is more worried about others than himself.

He lacks an umbrella, but a shield does have it's other uses so he is using it as he moves to a safer location... Only to stop when he finds a small cat and he moves it over to shield the cat. Cats are included in knightly protection as well.]

Follow me. Allow me to escort you to a safer place.

[ well, this is a bit of a blessing, frankly. Morgana is capital-n Not a cat, so that has absolutely nothing to do with his dislike of being wet. He just doesn't like it, that's all! Unfortunately, there's not a lot he can do to get away from the rain when he doesn't have opposable thumbs. His only option is to mumble and grumble and wait somewhere dry while he hopes for it to pass quickly.

Unless a kindly passerby appears, and offers him a... shield? Huh. Yeah, that's a shield. If he had eyebrows right now, he'd raise them. Still... it keeps out the rain. He looks up at Naoise, slowly getting up from his seated position, and... ]

Uh... M-meow.

[ right. act like a normal cat... ]

[ The Lunarians rest during the winter, warded away by the lack of clear skies - and, although less common, they're sometimes kept away just the same in the spring or summer, thanks to the rain. The little patch of land the gems call home is fortunate in that the weather there is often temperate and mild; even though it's surrounded by ocean on all sides, it's rarely buffeted by anything worse than a light thunderstorm.

Rarely. But it happens. Like today, for instance. It's actually a good thing that the Lunarians don't like it when it's dark and cloudy, because no gem would want to be caught outside in the screaming wind with rain practically falling horizontally the way it is now - their powder wouldn't last, for one thing, and the lighter gems' balance is thrown off by the gusts, and the general darkness means everyone is feeling sleepy. Once in a while, the eternal war grinds to a halt, and they get to spend a day indoors and take a break.

All except for one.

Not even a tropical storm can convince them to leave their isolated hole in the wall, apparently, even when the waves are roaring and dashing against the cliffs so furiously that it occasionally feels like the ocean is trying to swallow that cave back up. Cinnabar is stubborn. If they headed back to the school, they'd have to face everyone again at once, and, honestly, staying here with the wind and rain sounds more palatable than that. Instead, they spend their time alternating between sleeping and being miserably awake thanks to a peal of thunder or a particularly heavy wave, that old clipboard and paper tucked safely under one arm to try and keep it out of the rain. If they just keep moving towards the back of the cavern, they'll probably be all right. (And if they got sucked up into the waves and smashed into the rocks below, they doubt it would really make a difference to anyone, anyway.) ]

Edited 2018-12-04 04:47 (UTC)

[ Unfortunately for Cinnabar, the relative peace (however questionably peaceful it could possibly be considered in the current conditions) is unceremoniously disturbed, just barely making it over the wind whistling through the mouth of the cave and ocean waves relentlessly crashing into the cliffside: ]

I'm coming iiiiiin—!!

[ If it's hard to discern who the voice belongs to, a hint of gold suddenly hooking from down the ledge and along the roof of the cavern might be all that's needed; before as much of a protest could be made—if Cinnabar is quick thinking enough to figure out who's about to invite themselves in—it's none other than Phosphophyllite who comes swinging in to hop on the floor with a stumble in the landing.

Hello. ]

[ literally who else would it be

like, even if they didn't recognize that voice and the weird gold alloy -- who else would be stupid enough to come all the way out here in weather like this to see them, of all people? There's only ever been one gem who would. Cinnabar barely has time to yelp and haphazardly toss the clipboard further back into the recesses of their cave (hopefully, Phos didn't notice that) before they're scrambling to their feet as Phos is suddenly in their personal space again. (Their personal space is this entire cave, as far as Cinnabar's concerned.) ]

W-what the -- what are you doing here?! Are you crazy?!

[ wait, they know the answer to this one ]

[ Phos regains back balance surprisingly quick—and hears a short, loud clatter, to boot—but that goes right out the proverbial window when Cinnabar's only response is annoyance and shock. ]

—Huh?

[ Both eyes widen, like this irritability is somehow unfounded, and Phos freezes in place, dripping water onto the floor; a raindrop rolls down the side of their face, revealing a faint hint of blue, and the wet cloth of the shorts clinging to a thigh gradually erodes away the white powder hiding the minty greens underneath. Yet for all anyone can tell this goes completely unnoticed by Phos for the time being. ]

Wait, this was totally unplanned! I'm just an unlucky victim merely seeking refuge!!

[ it's a sickly reminder of how very little there is left of the gem that tried to save Cinnabar more than a century ago; their eyes briefly flick to the spots of exposed color, and their expression sours just a little bit more, reflecting the sorrow they won't acknowledge over the regrets they've pretended not to have. ]

Don't lie to me. You can't just accidentally end up over here.

[ this spot is fairly cut off from the rest of the island, and especially the school, which is why they picked it, naturally. They wrap their arms around themself defensively, glancing away from Phos in annoyance; the bubbles of mercury around them prickle with their emotions. ]

Only an idiot like you would come out in weather like this, anyway... This is why you keep losing parts.

[ it's such a waste of energy to worry about this stupid rock... ]

waiting for a lonely death...

Lugus / Psychedelica of the Ashen Hawk

Hikage / Psychedelica of the Black Butterfly

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Arsène Lupin / Code: Realize

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HERE I AM sorry for the delay dana!!

NO WORRIES SILLY SIB

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Morgana / Persona 5

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Auger von Garibaldi / Black Wolves Saga

Tooby / Nier: Automata

Mae ⚡ Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia

cinnabun / houseki no kudyoustophurtingme

gurgles

MY LOVE

;^)

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zooky