CATCHALL: Kazuki

[solesuccess]

Comments

[solesuccess]

I doubt any of our friends would actually bring you somewhere you'd be in danger. [ everyone knows kazuki's a normie... ]

We'll have to hope. Which is a stretch, considering where we are, but...I'm trying to keep my options open. If only to remind other people and give them a reason not to quit yet.

[teenrebellion]

I dunno, some of them have kind of a warped sense of danger.

Only for other people? What about you?

[solesuccess]

True. [ they. they sure do. ] I don't have a reason to quit yet. I have a lot of reasons to be mad, and a lot of reasons to think certain things won't work, but I don't plan on stopping yet either.

[teenrebellion]

[ so he doesn't have to worry about shoma being too much like akito in certain ways. he nods. ]

Good. We all need something to keep us going.

[solesuccess]

Yeah. [ a pause. ] Maybw it isn't surprising that it's easier here than it was back home. But there's more than just me involved in a place like this. Maybe that's why.

[teenrebellion]

[ is it really just shoma, though... kazuki has to wonder. ]

Guess so. There's no avoiding it here when it's all people we know... friends.

[solesuccess]

[ he could ask whatever he's wondering, really. at this point kazuki has rights. i also see my phone betrayed me in this tag too jfc. ]

Yeah, exactly. [ another pause...but then he figures he may as well state the obvious. ] That, and I have to make sure Mizuki gets back no matter what.

[teenrebellion]

[ hums ]

She seems pretty strong on her own. [ ... ] But it's good that you guys have each others' backs.

[ maybe not great, having someone you're close to here with you. but maybe it would make this whole thing feel a little less lonely. ]

[solesuccess]

She is, but she's also an idiot sometimes. [ pointblank. ] She's...obviously really strong and really smart and can take care of herself just fine, but she's kind of the worst at remembering she doesn't have to do everything herself just because she's able to. Half the time I'm pretty sure she doesn't even notice what I'm trying to do here.

[ which isn't unusual. mizuki leads, shoma follows sometimes, until she realizes everything he's been doing in the background behind her back to ensure they'll be fine. ]

It's been a good and a bad thing for both of us to be here. And as long as I can get both of us out along with everybody else, then...it can be more of a good one.

[teenrebellion]

Hah. Sounds like someone else I know.

[ and it's always driven him crazy, how some people do that. as if they can always stand alone and manage just fine. as if they don't need to ask for help like other people. as if they aren't just as human as anyone else.

or maybe he's just projecting. whatever. ]

As long as you remember that you don't have to do it all on your own, too.

[solesuccess]

[ shakes hands with kazuki in things that are unsaid but also felt deeply about other people. there's a half-smile. ]

I've been...trying to be better about it, but I've kind of been on my own a lot for the last six years. Old habits, you know?

[teenrebellion]

[ hey ty can our characters stop being the same fucking people for two seconds ]

Screw old habits. You're not on your own anymore.

[solesuccess]

[ signs are pointing to no.

anyway that startles a laugh out of him. ]

Yeah. Yeah, I'm getting that. [ but TIME, kazuki. these things take time. ] All the more reason it's stuff I want to take back home. Kinda came full circle there.

[teenrebellion]

We'll find a way to. Somehow.

[ "we" because he stands by what he said. it's not just shoma's job to figure it out, or anyone else's. ]

[solesuccess]

Somehow. [ but he pauses to cough wetly into his sleeve, clearing out more rust before there's just a deadeyed expression. ]

...might have to wait for this to pass, but it's not impossible.

[teenrebellion]

God, it's annoying, isn't it? [ scowls at his gloved hands. ] I can't play like this, either. It'd ruin the strings.

[ his guitar is significantly less important than finding a way home but still. ]

[solesuccess]

I was wondering how you were getting by and now I know the answer. [ terrible. horrible. their hobbies!!! ] This is by far one of the most annoying affects we've had, and that's impressive when it's only Monday.

Gloves probably make it harder to actually strum the right strings, don't they. [ thicker... ]

[teenrebellion]

Right? Not that I liked some of the other effects that much, either, but I'd take most of those over this.

[ sighs. ]

Yeah, it's not even worth trying at this point.

[solesuccess]

At least those weren't nearly as messy and invasive. [ ... ] Physically, at least. But we'll find workarounds. [ squinting in thought. ] Guess a pick wouldn't even help you play?

[teenrebellion]

Not physically.

[ he would like to not have people's memories blasted for the whole world to see, though. ]

No, a pick isn't the problem. I usually play with one, anyway. The problem is the frets and getting the right chords - the gloves are thick enough that it kind of ruins the whole sound if I try to hold it like I normally do.

[solesuccess]

[ he holds up both hands like "no offense." he clarified for a reason and it's because people's memories and emotions are a lot. ]

As you probably guessed, I don't actually know how to play. But I imagine with a glove you end up spreading out and pressing on more than one option and then it muffles and drowns itself out. Changes the notes entirely.

[teenrebellion]

[ he was more agreeing than offended but yeah. it all sucks, frankly. ]

More or less, yeah. And sometimes you get the wrong string entirely because you can't actually feel which one it is through the fabric. Makes it even harder.

[solesuccess]

Maybe I should be glad most of my hobbies involve a little grease in the first place. [ he says, absolutely aware there is a difference but not caring much. ] Guess it just means playing catch-up next week when this is over.

[teenrebellion]

[ dryly, ] Then maybe you can get some use out of this one.

I'll live. It's just a pain not being able to play... I Just have to find something else this week.

[solesuccess]

One could only hope. [ so that's a no. ] Good thing we've got a library then? Might be a good place to pick up a new hobby.

[ a joke. it's okay. ]