yogen | 🎉 if i celebrate, i want to offer my heartfelt and honest congratulations

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🎉 if i celebrate, i want to offer my heartfelt and honest congratulations

Who: Norton Campbell, Nagito Komaeda, and open to anyone who'd be willing to offer Komaeda birthday wishes of their own volition
When: April 28, after class
What: 3rd floor, music room

Arriving

( so, it's like this: nobody likes komaeda.

well, it seems that way a lot of the time, from what norton's observing, and the unfortunate fact of the matter? no matter how absolutely off-his-rocker insane he's been acting, he... well, real or not, he didn't seem to be a bad guy in those memories norton has of him. try as he might, he can't simply act as though they don't exist either. so instead, with a sigh of defeat and an important date that he'd learned in those strange memories in mind, he'll go about collecting those who seem to be... more tolerant (even if that's a generous way to express it) of komaeda lately.

he's already arranged for the most reliable chef he's yet to meet in this school to help by preparing a birthday cake, (and learned quite a bit in the process, actually,) and he's let the others know where they should gather. so, when norton decides it's about time to drag komaeda to the survival club's meeting room for some kind of survival club-related excuse of a reason, there should hopefully already be at least a couple of people there and waiting for them—including one boy holding a white cat who may or may not look a little out of his element.

his voice is soft, but as the cake and the small collection of people he's managed to gather come into view, norton offers a smile. )

Happy birthday.

01.) ♡

( so... how will you greet the birthday boy? tag-ins will be assumed to be for komaeda, unless otherwise indicated! )

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

UH—-

[ STOP he meant it as like... providing Komaeda with a valid excuse to leave the room that wouldn't be rude to the people who set up the party, he doesn't want to get caked too, this is his kindness, Komaeda, please--

He may not be able to escape without tearing his shirt but he has the plate in his hand still? He holds this plate up in front of his face as if this would protect him from anything Komaeda has planned. ]

Roku~n, what are you scared for? You knew this was coming.

( but it'll cause a problem if komaeda does anything, won't it? he knows norton is overseeing everything that happens, and with that reminder is enough to make the ultimate stop in his tracks. if he's going to do something, he should at least wait when he won't get in trouble, but it's not like he'd actually harm roku~n (maybe). also, it's him hiding behind the plate that makes komaeda lift his mechanical hand and pinch the corner with his thumb and index finger. with it in his grasp, he's pulling it down so that he can get a clear view at the other's face before closing the distance between them with a hug —

sure, there's still cream and frosting, along wit bread on komaeda's face that wasn't wiped away with his shirt, but he does rub his sticky cheeks against roku~n's own. )

Now we can be messy together... You're going to clean me up, right?

[ The curiosity and suspicion on his eyes gives way to surprise and there's the smallest of exhales when he feels the arms around him, shoulders jumping a little but then they slowly lower again as the reality of it all settles.

Damn, when's the last time he's received a hug? When's the last time he allowed it, without the fear of somebody's hands at his back where he cannot see? Maybe the antsy feeling won't ever go away, but he can ignore it for this moment, lifting his own arms now that they're both free and wrapping his arms around Komaeda in return and pulling him close. ]

...Yeah. If I'm in this deep, I might as well take responsibility.

[ He's smiling when he pulls back, hands on Komaeda's shoulders to hold him at arm's length. ]

Let's go to the courtyard. I'm power hosing you down.

( while roku~n is enjoying himself from avoiding any natural disasters that may come from komaeda — well, if you count the ceiling tile above them shifting oddly above them — they're literally avoiding harm's way. even doing something simple as hugging him isn't technically bad in komaeda's book, and he's always been affectionate as long as he goes first. the aftermath of attention that comes on the other's side is welcomed, and komaeda isn't as bothered if he had went first — he's able to stay in the embrace and then stand in place once hands make their way to his shoulders. )

The courtyard...?

( foreign concept, he's pretty sure they're not even allowed out there — well, transfer students aren't allowed. roku~n probably spends most of his time there if that's the location he wants to go to, and isn't the water there also bloody like what's inside...? mysterious, actually. he'll give it a try, but he knows that some unknown force will deny him the chance to exit this hell school. )

Well...

( it comes out kind, thoughtful as he looks back to make sure norton doesn't see them as komaeda pulls roku~n along, out into the hallway so it's just them — and the sound of a tile crashing onto the floor behind them. it's nothing big, but at least they narrowly escaped danger from where they were previously standing. )

I wouldn't mind seeing the wisteria with you.

[ My poor school falling apart........ He does startle again when the ceiling tile falls, whirling around and staring at the tile on the ground— up at the ceiling where it'd fallen from, squinting a little as if he'd expected to see something- or someone- up there, and is slow to take his eyes off the ceiling as he backs out of the room with Komaeda. ]

Yikes... You alright? This place is such a dump...

[ Maya is going to kill whoever threw this party under the impression that they trashed the room, so he is not going to stick around here, not one to claim responsibility when he doesn't need to. ]

Maybe if we're lucky enough, the pipes bursting a couple weeks ago will rot away enough that the entire building collapses by the time break is over. —Hey, you're not going to ghost me all break again, are you?

[ That said, it is officially break and most of the students have skipped club and gone home the first chance they got. The relative silence and lack of bodies isn't something he can find peace or comfort in, but when you and your friend are covered in cake? It's a blessing. ]

( ??? your school falling apart, but roku~n has the right idea because as soon as this school collapses, they'll be able to get out of here free... perhaps that's the next plot clue. i will be keeping that in mind, however, komaeda can only laugh at the idea of the building crumbling down, but maybe that shouldn't be said around him. )

Aah, knowing my luck... It might only happen as long as I'm here. ( the theory about the pipes and the building, so if roku~n keeps his head up then perhaps. ) About that, haven't you been ghosting me...?

( because komaeda doesn't know much about him anyway, or where he comes from or why he speaks to komaeda so familiarly. he's an ultimate with a complicated history, and yet there's someone next to him who actually likes being by his side — something doesn't add up, or he's aware that his place is beneath komaeda's. whatever the answer is, his eyes look at roku~n as he waits for his expression to change to see if he's affected by what he says. )

Or do you hate me that much?

( yes, he's serious, but also... he's trying to see how far this "friendship" goes. )

Ah... leaving me behind because I'm worthless...

[ His face falls at the word hate, because how could it not? It's one thing being friends with somebody who doesn't remember, that you have to remind yourself again and again that it's not his fault, but when you're accused of being the one to leave when you're always the one doing the chasing? Who found who today, huh?

He reaches out slow and gentle, as if to cup Komaeda's sticky cheek, but then lifts his hand higher and flicks him on the forehead. ]

Stupid. I don't hate you- I hate your situation. I hate that I can't do anything about it... besides not leaving you alone.

( it goes like this, one eye closes the moment that roku~n touches him, and he doesn't flinch when a finger is plucked against his face. he should really start to expect these childish responses from him, and when the other was meant to act like an older brother to komaeda. )

...Hm.

( his voice sounds serious, a little more eerie than usual as komaeda reaches up, his normal, but cold hand wrapping around the other's wrist. his fingers tapping one by one along his skin — )

What do you know about me... Wait, let me rephrase that. ( he sighs, his grip tightening only a bit around his arm. ) Wouldn't you say I'm happy in the situation I'm in?

You're happy.

[ But he doesn't sound happy about that, not in the way where you wish for your friends' happiness. His wrist hangs limp in Komaeda's instead of pulling away, though he does briefly glance over at their hands before going back to looking Komaeda in the eyes. ]

There's nowhere else you'd rather be, I think... You're doing what you can with what you have and where you are, and that sort of thing inspires hope.

[ Only now he moves his hand, gripped in Komaeda's and lowering it firmly. ]

At the same time, though, it's pitiful.

Oh, you absolutely get it! I'm a very pitiful, pitiful, pitiful, pitiful, pitiful, pitiful human being that means nothing.

( that's one thing for sure, he can easily remind himself without someone else doing so, especially with the way he says this simply as a fact. it's should be obvious the type of person nagito komaeda is, and if roku~n really has known him as long as he has, he'd be able to agree with the statement wholeheartedly. )

Because so I'm inferior.

( so there's no way his happiness can inspire hope when there's others more fitted for the role, or to contradict himsel: he's not happy at all. hence why komaeda does as he pleases to help everyone else's and so far, seeing how others come together for the sake of everyone else, that does prove that it's growing. )

As long as they have friendship and one another, they'll be able to overcome any despair they're met with. You as well.

( and he said he was happy. )

Edited 2021-04-28 17:20 (UTC)

[ Squashes Komaeda's cheeks between his hands ]

I didn't say that.

[ He said it's pitiful! The situation! Komaeda's whole... being... but not him, somehow, not the person that he knows or thought he knows or maybe only ever knew in the past but no longer. ]

You think that's all it's going to take? Friendship? Friendship can't save everyone... not everybody's going to make it. Just who are you rooting for?

Explain my unhappy situation.

( his unhappy, pitiful situation that he's in because that's how komaeda took his words actually — but it doesn't make sense if he knows there's problems because... komaeda can't really go to the courtyard. strange, roku~n's strange to him. well, that's normally the initial feeling when you don't know anything about the person talking to you, and this whole time komaeda's been running with it naturally.

instantly, he beams with joy, delighted to explain his thoughts. )

Huh? Which side...? Haven't I made it obvious that hope is here, and that's where I go. ( but that doesn't mean he wants to be here, and so far his mindset has been following hope to encourage those around him in not giving up so that they can escape. but a vague answer is a vague answer, so it's something he leaves open to interpretation for his companion, and the conversations dies as fast as his smile. his lips purse into a straight line, and he almost looks like he's pouting with the way roku~n squishes his cheeks. ) When you say it like that... maybe it is pitiful, our situation, if they're going to die without witnessing the tremendous hope they could bring about... or they're weak.

( he pauses. )

Is that why you stay by me, Roku~n? Do you want me dead? ( ... ) For your hope?

[ Not even a side, but a person is what he means. There's always one person who comes out on top, that much was apparent in the graduation ceremony last month, and his feelings towards that isn't so much hope or despair as it is... ]

I don't want you dead.

[ He squishes Komaeda's cheeks a little more, pushing up towards the eyes like I do with my cat and her face gets all squinty and it's very cute. Being able to play with somebody else's face is a very blessed thing. ]

I want you to open your eyes, and remember.

( but komaeda wants to die himself, it's always this cryptic speech that means nothing to him. at this point, he's a follower than a leader, and that means doing what roku~n is asking of him isn't... in his design. open his eyes and remember what exactly? is that truly warranted when he's giving his life to hope, but it'd be unlike him to leave something at that. )

Remember...

( not komaeda going though lily may tingz, which he allows as he stares at the other — he really has the cat aesthetic down from doing just this. congratulations roku~n. )

It's my birthday — ( he starts, using it as an excuse. ) So refresh my memory, or should I ask them? ( as in the satanists, they look like they might have an understanding. )

"Them"?

[ noooooo FORGET ABOUT THE SATANISTS I can't believe I'm going to have to find a satanist oc, I know nothing about satanism I'm going to be disappointing so many people ]

Unfortunately, it doesn't work like that. You'll remember in due time, if you just keep being you ...not like it needs me saying, though.

[ He stops squishing and simply holds Komaeda's face in his hands. ]

I hope that when you do, you won't think too badly of me.

You said you don't paint, right? My blood is worthless to you, but maybe to them...

( sounds like he's thinking about it, BUT KOMAEDA WON'T DUMP HIM FOR A SATANIST... i'm crying, not you pulling our your satanology book, me about dragonology actually. )

Haha, selling yourself short? I may not listen to you, but someone else will.

( let komaeda try and pull roku~n's hands off, he's not really used to things like this, so he can only deal with it for so long. besides, who knew he could be so affectionate? must have not been able to do this for awhile. )

Saying that... it makes you sound responsible and that this was unavoidable.

[ Roku~n just hums in his throat instead of answering Komaeda's question, letting go of his face and doing everything he can to resist wiping his hands down on the sides of his pants, gross, he really wants to go home and hop in the shower. ]

I won't claim full responsibility, but we all play our parts, don't we? But never mind that— I did get you something.

[ Before the courtyard, lockers first-- ]

I don't know if you'll like it, but I want you to give it a try.

( he's insane... he's fucking insane, omg, these npcs are insane, komaeda about to girlboss his way out of this one, he might get stabbed at the locker or something... oh these students ain't right. )

...

( as suspicious as that is, komaeda's smile doesn't falter as he slows his pace, allowing roku~n to walk ahead of him. he's curious though, eyes glancing up and down to check if there's anything on his attire — paint, the color red, or any definitive traits that makes him different. )

There's time I can't get back, so there's better ways to have my attention than wasting my time. ( he pauses. ) Are you about to become bad luck for me?

[ KOMAEDA calling my sweet good npc Roku~n insane???? My good kind totally normal npc who isn't bloodied in any way, who wears a black cloth wristband around his left wrist and has one of these cute keychains hanging out of his right pocket that's attached to his house keys, all my npcs are deliberately plain and normal, please. ]

Don't be silly... It won't take that much time. You don't even really have to do anything.

[ His gift to Komaeda is jammed pretty well inside his locker, notebooks bent and a jersey squashed in a corner to make space for the present he pulls out of his locker and presses into Komaeda's hands. ]

( tell me you're not sitting there LYING TO ME like this, he was npc# 66666 for a reason, and even his cute keychains are ominous? maybe the people in 3-b isn't the cult, the true satanists are the friends you meet along the way... anyway, how is he not insane when he's??? responsible for something? insane... )

I'm too worthless to do anything, I already know th — oh..?

( let him look to see what roku~n's locker number is right quick and at the little things that he has before getting comfortable with the weight of his gift. he blinks slow, head canting to the side because at face value, it appears to see... a miniature log? unluckily, komaeda doesn't stop there as he looks it over, fiddling with it to see if it has a lid or a secret switch that opens a locked compartment first. komaeda does like solving mysteries... or perhaps he's taking this too literally and it really is just a genshin mat log. )

This isn't anything to break the game's balance, is it?

[ Sometimes your keychains are cute and then you're forgiven of all things, it's fine. His locker number is 001 and his things are pretty normal school supplies and a jersey, and several half empty water bottles that he should either finish or throw away.

The log is a normal log. Made of wood, no secret compartments. ]

Huh... I don't think so? You could probably use it to your advantage, but it's really just something extra to help you along.

( wait.. is that clean... NORMAL water..... might be talking the secret language here... well at least komaeda knows what locker to rob if things get tough. )

...Where did it come from?

( how is it... supposed to help him? and "probably"? don't tell me he gave komaeda a piece of junk, i am crying. )

I wonder... I guess it's great for attacking people with, but why would I need this?

[ It's either blood water or fake pink lemonade flavor packet water, but no, not normal clean water. ALSO DON'T BE RUDE ABOUT HIS GIFT cherish it ]

I mail ordered it, so don't go breaking it over somebody's head. It'll ruin the surprise if I explain it, so just hang onto it, alright? Someplace dark like your locker is fine, and it'll be fruitful if you have some patience.

( THEY'RE CANNIBALS? omg... it's all coming together... no wonder there's no red and they fight for it... AND STOP KOMAEDA IS CHERISHING IT... JUST... he'll even think of a name for it. )

It's unlike you just to buy something without checking its type, so you have to know that.

( you know, just in case it matches the wisteria tree or something, but komaeda doubts that. he sighs, keeping his small smile as he turns the log in his hand trying to identify any scratches or anything weird. )

Also, please hand over your jacket... I'll keep it tucked away like you did.

( he's waiting with his hand held out. )

[ Loooooooooookk sometimes you grew up on pink salty water and that's all you ever knew ]

I'm saying I custom ordered it for you but I'm not telling— don't go burning it either, that's not what it's for.

[ He begrudgingly hands over his jacket, though, by which I mean he sets it on top of Komaeda's head instead of in his hands. It looks similar to this, with a little two-headed crow stitched onto the left breast, and on the back are the numbers 06. ]

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