yogen | September mini-event pt 2

[for the record, subaru stops mid-turn and hesitatingly returns back to his spot.

... ... ... no he wants to be closer to keigo actually, he'll just. do what he can to remain out of natsume's immediate sight as long as possible and go to sit on the bedside closer to the shopkeep, while komaeda's just

doin' his hope thing. don't mind him]

Yeah, I did what I had to do... I don't regret it, but I'm not happy about it either.

( and with that high of a price to pay, he still can't even say he was able to keep kamo-kun safe. not safe enough. wanting so badly for them to stay uninvolved from these stupid incidents that keep unfolding around them, and even after everything, it still couldn't be him who ensured kamo-kun was safe. it couldn't be him who saved them.

he exhales, long and slow and tired, grimacing. )

And anyway, Ito-kun isn't a suspect. Pretty sure the cultists were chosen as victims because they trusted Clamor so much — they'd have done anything for him if he asked, y'know? Plus he was already passed out by the time I got there; only "Clamor" was conscious.

Even at a time like that, he tried to keep up the act for a bit, but... ( amami looks off to the side. ) Anyway, it was pretty clear what was going on, and the fire was a bit too up close for my liking, personally.

But...

[amami's not singed. and... it wasn't that hallway that had the scorch marks. but subaru doesn't know if the other was always like that, or if it was new, maybe, from a recent bout--]

But Ama-chan, that hallway wasn't the burned one. Like, yeah, it's been burned before, but I walk through there pretty much every day to get on the roof over there, and it wasn't any worse off than normal. So what happened with "Clamor-san" in the other school?

[the bleeding might click now.]

( ...hold on. )

Is that why you've been hiding your hand from ME, Baru-kun? ( :) ) Didn't you say you'd come running if you ever got a CUT?

( :)

He'll go dig through the nurse's supplies (sorry nursesan wherever you are) to grab some stuff to patch Subaru up... ugh, he knew he smelled blood. Absolute dumb bitch. )

...At least it wasn't a totally useless venTURE, if you got something out of IT. Come HERE. ( motion motion. ) Amami-kun, you can answer if you feel like IT.

( and nothing for komaeda he's just ignoring he spoke )

Edited 2021-09-21 01:43 (UTC)

Why do you treat him like a child?

( leave him alone, which, komeda's going to grab subaru's hand, and pull the other onto the cot with him (but not to bump into npckun or amami, and lily may remains in komaeda's left... you stay by yourself natsume). besides... )

We're here for P-kun, not Akehoshi-kun's hand, so please get to work Sakasaki-kun... we need you to take care of our unconscious shopkeeper, we're counting on you ~

Edited 2021-09-21 01:47 (UTC)

( natsume throws rubbing alcohol on komaeda )

[the initial grab hurts and he yelps, and then natsume throws the rubbing alcohol and it hits subaru, because of komaeda's luck, but at least it's over here now.

........ would it be too much to ask for cotton balls and gauze--]

Sorry, Natsume, but I couldn't find you~! And then I did. Here.

[so. you know. nevermind he didn't even check anywhere and just came here,]

Maddy, Ama-chan has more to say anyway, [he's real confident about that,] Natsume can do a quick fix while he tells us what's going on. I'll come back if you still wanna cuddle?

[because that's what this is about??? please let him go, if komaeda lets him go he'll take the rubbing alcohol back to natsume]

I was hoping you'd take care of that sooner rather than later. Try not to let the blood get anything, yeah?

( he's been watching this all like... please, y'all. )

Okay, uh, where were we? You wanted to know what happened, right? There was a lot, to be honest, but I'll try to summarize.

( there weren't exactly fresh marks from any fire on "this" side of the school, right? )

See, when I got there, the... ( sighs he wants to use one of their names so bad... ) shopkeeper was already unconscious — them and Ito-kun. They were off to the side of the room, and "Clamor" was working on the circle. Long story short, I wasn't about to let him use that fire he kept threatening me with to light up the whole building when they were right there, and they couldn't exactly run away either. I thought if I could at least disorient him enough, it might even the playing field a bit.

( you know how the world kind of bends and folds in on itself, that dizzy sense of vertigo you get when you go to the other side? yeah, that.

he pauses, and honestly, he's not going to be looking anybody in the eyes right about now. )

He did end up lighting the room on fire, but I managed to get the three of us out of there, so...

( ... )

Edited (writes tags on call like a fool) 2021-09-21 02:23 (UTC)

( he closes his eyes, waiting for the bottle to hit him, but it never does, and when his eyes open... he sees the red coloration on subaru's face — he lifts a hand, rubbing his hands through orange locks like one would do a dog, patting him a bit with a smile. )

Amami-kun praised you, good work, I knew you could solve it.

( he looks towards amami, silent while hearing his side of the story. he understood that amami must have had a personal experience with the fire, and he noticed the way he watched natsume deal with the fire. digging in his pocket, he pulls out a pack of matches he found when looking in the occult club, and he places it inside of subaru's hand (the good one) so that he can make his way over to natsume, and then replaces subaru with lily may in his lap so that she can be with him. )

...Hm, hm, hm.

( a light hum to himself as amami speaks, the way he doesn't stare at anyone, and komaeda lifts a hand, reaching towards amami's shoulder to try and touch him, but his fingers flinch. he pulls away, dropping it back down on the bed as he looks at npckun instead. )

Kawaii-san's mirror must have came in pretty handy, ( no pun intended ) so what happened next!? How did you handle such a poor and unfortunate stepping stone, to think you'd take him into a world you're ever so familiar with, how the tables have turned! The showcase of your hope must have blinded them with your own dazzling fire in your soul... a man of so much talent, we're honored!

( listen, komaeda sees this as a movie, he's excited. )

[ ...So, a lot of questioning had occurred and admittedly when the discussion of what happened with Narumi came up, he listened closely, but he had nothing much to say for now especially when they were still trying to sort out the issue.

Regrettably, he can't imagine he'd be able to ask the right questions so that was still something he left to the others.

However, around the time that revelations and more light has been shown on the matter, Meng Yao patiently waits still. He doesn't want to speak out of turn either, though he's judging Komaeda's choice of words...even if he can't be surprised by them. ]

It's good that you managed to do what you did so that things wouldn't end up worse.

[ To put it simply. ]

...I also do suppose my question is somewhere in line with the one that has been asked just now, though I can't say I'd phrase it the same way. Still, it is incredible you managed to get them both out of that mess.

...

( it's mixed feelings, hearing those words from people who feel at opposite ends of the scale to amami. on one hand, there's relief. the fear, the guilt, the responsibility he felt for the weight that came with blood on his hands, he wouldn't have been too surprised if they turned on him regardless of his careful attempt to explain the circumstances. it feels lighter with the reassurance. he did the right thing, in the end; he really believes that. would do it all over again if he had to, easily. on the other, a weight like this doesn't disappear solely for their kind words.

even so...

next time somebody says you're awesome, say thank you. don't brush them off. )

... Thanks.

( for not holding it against him, at least. )

But yeah, you're right. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that Rika-chan saved our lives last night.

( and whether she knows it or not, it's something he'll remain grateful for. as for what happened to "clamor", he can explain, but... assumes that the details won't be too important to them. )

When we got out, I wasn't sure what to expect, but he just kind of... fell over. I brought them here first, and then... I don't feel like I really need to tell you what happened next — you can see for yourselves how things ended up, right? The pieces are pretty easy to put together from that point.

( some things moved around, and amami waited patiently for kamo-kun to wake up — when they didn't, he called the one person he felt might be able to help them. that's a wrap, right? )

[the affection from komaeda had been a surprise to subaru, and he ponders it while (ow) natsume (hhh) resolutely fixes his hand, but by the end there it's just, ah, no, that's maddy alright, and subaru listens to the others talk, turning his head to watch.]

You tossed him in the... pool [if he remembers noah's words on shin's post right,] and came back here to rest, but you didn't really get to for long.

[cause

of at least two people here,]

What was the faker like? Clamor-san didn't seem like the type to threaten people, so I figure that tipped you off, but... I wanna know the kind of person they were, I guess?

[it'll make it easier to... explain... somehow to the others, and subaru glances between amami and npckun for a moment before adding on,]

I won't tell them, by the way. [with a nod to the person sleeping in amami's arms.] If anyone does, it's gonna have to be you, Ama-chan. But I don't think they'd hold it against you either.

[....... gosh, subaru really does wanna know why npckun was up there though, caught in the mix of it... speaking of telling the others, how... should this be handled. noah didn't seem very Good on the network, and he knows they'd been close, and the last thing he wants is someone else stabbed for someone that couldn't be brought back when it wasn't even amami's fault, really, in the first place, and all amami did in the end was-- well, end it... but it's still hard to find someone you love dead]

( yeah, that. subaru's got it, so moving on — first of all, amami nods to the last bit, appreciative. to be honest, he's... not quite sure how he'll explain this to kamo-kun, but. well, they'll cross that bridge when they get to it. they need to wake up, first. )

The kind of person he was, huh? Well, he dropped the act pretty quick once I got there. He went like, "Touch me and I burn this whole fucking school down." After that, it's not like I was too interested in chatting with him either. He asked me about my grades, said he'd...

( ... )

... hate to be stuck in my shoes.

( kinda interesting, how both micchi and ami are third years — their grades are pretty different, though. )

[ People have certainly killed or done worse for less.

Though, Meng Yao doesn't really consider that a comfort, especially when it means that someone he cares about got hurt. With things seemingly on their way to a wrap up, someone can say it is a comfort. But there is what is to be done going forward, and...of course there were other matters as well, and his eyes fall back upon the shopkeeper and he considers Narumi's state.

That being said, the sentence Amami states the imposter utters catches his attention. ]

One's type of speech can tell you a lot about their person. Though I'm not surprised this...perpetrator was completely lacking in manners or decorum, given his bold actions in the first place.

[ ... ]

Either way, he sounded rather single-minded. Asking about your grades, and then making such a statement...

( ...come to think of it, "clamor" had paused before he called natsume a natural with fire magic, almost as if he'd been ready to say something else. natsume cleans subaru's cut a little more thoroughly than he might normally, a little petty punishment for now, but he's gentle when he wraps it up in gauze.

if his touch lingers a moment, no it doesn't, before he's scooping the cinquefoil and ash he separated out of the bowl and shaking it to mix the other three herbs together. )

In a normal SCHOOL, you don't graduate unless your grades are good eNOUGH. Yogen might be a place that turns a blind eye to vioLENCE, but I'm sure they still pay attention to that type of THING. It's for appearance purpoSES.

( even though this place is... he watches the candle, then looks back up at the rest of them. )

AnyWAY, I'm going to reverse the spell NOW... Or make an attempt TO. ( he's guessing the little shopkeeper is probably more exhausted by their battle than anything else, but it'll assuage a few worries to do it at least.

and that's the magic he's most familiar with. he takes a deep breath in—holds it—lets it out slowly, the strange pronunciation of his words dropping as his voice does, too. he sprinkles the cinquefoil and ashes into the bowl once again, half-lidded gaze steady on the little shopkeeper. )

≪...I ask for those listening to hear my request once more, though let me be clearer about it this time: awaken the little shopkeeper from their sleep. Break the spell cast upon them should one have been placed like a veil across their eyes, beckoning them to the Land of Nod and to the arms of the fairy Queen Mab.≫ ( ... ) ≪"Tarou-nii" and "Subaru" are waiting for you, Mr. Shopkeeper.≫

( and he lets the last of the ashes and cinquefoil sprinkle in the lull.

...well? )

[ ...

...

...

...

Nothing happens for several heartbeats. But then the shopkeeper's eyes snap open with a start, and Natsume can catch a golden glint in their eyes before they lift their head out of the light and they're light brown again, wide and unseeing as they thrash in Amami's arms, in the clutches of a nightmare they haven't realized they've already woken up from. The fear not present on Clamor's face is on theirs: mouth open like they mean to cry out but their voice is caught in their throat, them trying to stand up and step back but they can't move and it's dark and they can't see and they can't breathe and they can't—- they won't cry, don't cry don't cry don't cry... ]

( the spell feels... surprisingly mundane, for what amami had expected. anxiety and anticipation builds in his chest, gradually rising up into his throat until—

—they open their eyes.

and his heart drops into his stomach, leaden as he sees the expression on their face. )

Kamo-kun?

( they can thrash, but amami holds them close regardless. arms wrapped around them maybe in part to try to keep them from hitting him, or more importantly, from hurting themselves. most of all though, he wants to try and reassure them somehow. he's here. they're alright. he doesn't know what to do in this situation, but he stumbles to try to say something regardless. please hear him — he's praying for it. )

Hey, hey, take it easy. You're alright now, Kamo-kun. It's okay, I'm right here...

( it's practically audible in the sound of his voice — a panicked please, please, please, that trembles slightly the longer he continues, as if it could crack at any moment. )

[amami isn't the only one who reacts, of course, and thankfully natsume's patch job is done as subaru steps over quickly too, taking one of their hands and squeezing it tightly, the way he always does, and maybe he can help bring them back to the present this time too-- he hopes he can, he hopes--]

I'm here too, you're safe -- the night isn't scary when you've got someone at your side, right? We're here, you're okay now.

[subaru's a little calmer than amami is at least, but there's a hard thudding in his chest at the shot of adrenaline injected in him by the expression the other has]

[ The words are just words, but the nickname squeezes at their heart and they choke out a sob— and again, and again, the tears rolling down their face that they can't even wipe away with how their arms are pinned at their sides, unable to move in Amami's embrace, unable to see through their tears, unable to breathe with how hard they're crying, it's different but exactly the same

the terror, the helplessness, the dread, regrets upon regrets upon regrets

Their hand curls in Subaru's hand, nails digging in deep, still struggling in Amami's arms but the fight is leaving, drawn into shaking shoulders and a bowed head. ]

[it hurts, but it's familiar too. subaru doesn't draw his hand away, doesn't feel the pain really, and sits a little better before them and amami, raising his other (bandaged, but it's fine, it's fine) to wipe at their face gently.

amami had been free with his nickname, that and maddy's p-kun are something subaru's curious about, but his voice is softer in volume and tone, laced with affection. the way you'd speak to a child, the way his own mother spoke to him on lonely nights when he'd grown exhausted of carrying a burden far too heavy on shoulders far too smalll.]

Keigo~, let's breathe together. In, [and he'll breathe in, and when he exhales--] out. In, [again,] out.

[between this and the gentle squeezes he gives despite the piercing grip, maybe it'll help. though they seem really inconsolable.]

( the less they fight, the less tightly amami holds — arms wrapped around them not to limit them, but to assure them of his presence. with one of his hands, he gently rubs their back, following the rhythm of the breathing that subaru is trying to lead them through.

he stays quiet all the while, lips pressed into a thin line as he tries to reign in his expression.

nothing good will come from panicking, and he can't help them if he can't help himself. he holds his breath for a long moment, trying to be subtler as he forces a thin sheet of calmness over his panicked emotions, attempting to tuck them out of sight. a situation like this though, it's... not something so easily repressed. it's not the same as pushing down his own fears, or his own anger — because kamo-kun is so much more important than that. so amami probably can't settle his expression into anything better than sheer worry, and the traces of fear may even linger in his eyes, but at least he can do away with the outright panic that still beats fast in his chest.

even as he finds himself helpless, again, waiting while subaru tries to offer them that patience that they so clearly need.

... )

( in what ways can he thank natsume without being scolded for doing so, but he doesn't say anything as he finds a smile pulling along his lips as he sees the other stir, as he watches both amami and subaru handle things from here, and he claps his hands together... softly not to take attention but to do something that warrants that this is real, and that there's nothing to worry about.

as on cue — )

There you are!

( actually, komaeda wants to leave... he doesn't want to ruin the moment, but he finds that something may happen if he gets up and leaves from the room... )

Everyone was waiting for you... ah, good morning, and welcome back.

( ... there's a lot going on emotion wise here, and he tries his best to keep a smile. )

They've missed you.

[ He watches as the shopkeeper awakes and acts accordingly, though he doesn't say much at first because...well, he's never spoken to them. He's had no reason to and he's not fond of most of the denizens of this world even if he dare not be anything but polite to them.

Either way, it's good that Keigo was able to be assisted to this extent. Otherwise an innocent life would be lost, and so in the end...

Meng Yao puts on a vaguely concerned but warm expression. ]

...it is certainly a relief that you're still with us.

But in the end you pulled through. As you can see there truly was much concern about your wellbeing.

( the flicker of the gold in those eyes, just for a moment—makes natsume freeze, ready to explode the candle if needed, but it disappears as quickly as it comes and he... is tense, as the rest of them console the crying child; he watches and steals the fire magic from the candle, though it sparks in his fingers and splutters out the moment he does. he frowns at it but, well, fine—

he'll pick up his things, wondering if he should bother to go to class today; it wouldn't be out of sorts for him to miss a day, and subaru would probably want to stay out, being so attached to the little shopkeeper as he was... he moves towards the door, face turning to their little group. )

My job here is DONE, so I'll be taking my LEAVE... Little Shopkeeper, ( he says, attention more firmly on them, ) welcome BACK. Thank you for returning to US.

( ... )

If they fall asleep aGAIN, don't call for ME. I doubt they've had a good REST, so it'll be best to just let them sleep off any exhaustion they might HAVE. Keep an eye on them THOUGH.

( none of them live very far from one another now, he'll just ask for any missing pieces later... it's fine. he's gonna slip out now, don't stop him— )

Edited 2021-09-22 16:02 (UTC)

[ It's hard to breathe; they're holding their breath more than they're following Subaru's example, trying to smother the hiccups and quiet themselves because as much as they want to cry their heart out, there are people here— why are there so many people here? when did they get here? it was dark just before, an empty hallway, a thin beam of light shining on something they weren't supposed to have seen, a look of fury, the distinct feeling of not supposed to being here—-

but now they're surrounded by familiar faces, familiar voices, a hand in his that they loosen their death grip on, the arms around them that they relax a little more in, they look up at Komaeda talking to them as if he weren't a part of it, at Meng Yao doing the same, at Natsume who must have done something but they don't know what, and they watch as one by one they're starting to leave, wanting to keep them there even if they're strangers but their voice is locked up tight and it wouldn't matter when they don't even know what to say.

...

No, they're not going to sleep. Not now, not tonight, or the next night, as long as they can go until they can't stand it anymore and their body has no choice but to shut down. ]

September mini-event pt 2

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09/17 06:00

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