off they go to...the rose garden. there's a few reasons for this but most importantly, it's a place where you can get a view of some other parts of the academy. raikou isn't under any impression that a chat in this place would be truly private, but you make do with what have you.
and after seeing what happened to don quioxte, he's thinking this will become evident sooner or later. he's quiet as they make their way, which is unlike him. he's not really a chatterbox so much as someone who's able to settle into conversations and among people, but until they arrive he makes the effort not to.
once they're inside, he turns to face tsukasa against the backdrop of red roses. ]
And if I gave you a reason, do you think you could react in time?
[ don't answer that, because-
raikou still has his katana on his hip, as ridiculous as it looks being tucked into a tied sweatshirt around his waist. he moves fast and in an instant, left hand going to the hilt.
he's in tsukasa's space in a blink, his right hand balled, not into a fist but concealing something. ]
[ well. it's hard to tell whether being among people or being alone is worse right now, but raikou makes the call to head towards rose quartz. as the adrenaline leaves his system (though he's still On in a way he hasn't been), he realizes that tsukasa probably needs a minute or two.
time is fortunately something they have, at least for now.
once they enter the dorm (raikou is unfortunately checking all the rooms to see who is here and not here because he is like this) and he's satisfied they're alone, he'll tilt his head and ask again. ]
Are you okay? [ the other type of okay, this time. ]
[Tsukasa has been, perhaps, unnervingly quiet as he follows Raikou back to the dorm. It definitely isn't like him to be this silent for this long, but...
Well.
He's processing.
Processing as much as he can, given the circumstances.
Someone... dead? Someone actually...?
It almost startles him to realize they made it to the dorm; he stands there in the middle of the room, arms loose at his side, and looks... a little lost.]
[Tsukasa's head hangs a little, eyes on the floor. It's just... Raikou is so certain, so serious that it's impossible to pretend for even a moment like it was all some horrible prank.
Someone... actually died.
Someone actually murdered them.]
Even... even if you say that, I didn't really think... I just... can't imagine someone actually doing something like that.
It's probably not a surprise that Tsukasa is quiet when they're finally able to leave the grand theater. It's probably also not a surprise that his expression is downcast--tired, worn out, and miserable. He's an open book, after all. No surprises there.
So he doesn't protest at all when Raikou makes the executive decision of where they're going next, following obediently. He's deep in thought, clearly, though for once not with his head in the clouds--and he only really looks up once they make it to the cafe.
Oh...
He doesn't speak until they're seated in one of the egg-booths, and then, quietly:]
It feels like so long ago that we chose at random to eat here. [IT WAS ONLY A FEW DAYS.]
[ raikou is unsurprisingly, pretty unfazed after all of that. at least on the surface. he has his own thoughts to think through but being able to compartmentalize is an essential skill to survive as a shinobi. ]
And even longer than that since I've had your cooking.
[ lightly teasing, more to see how tsukasa takes it. ]
[ it's another week and after catching up on some sleep, raikou's feeling better than yesterday. there's still a mess in his mind, things he needs to look at before they become even more tangled than they already have, but he can do that later. because as soon as he catches wind that there are hot springs here, he knows he wants to enjoy it. no, he wants them to enjoy.
(he does pause briefly and wonder if this isn't possibly the worst invitation to extend, but ultimately he figures that they'll be visiting this hot spring at some point this week. preparation counts for a lot, right? besides, going to an onsen is one of the most Japanese of Japanese relaxation times and they definitely deserve it)
they're in the bathhouse changing, raikou just finishing putting his hair up into a high ponytail to keep it out of the water. ]
It's been so long since I've had the time to visit an onsen...
[There's a part of him that feels a little guilty doing something that he thinks he'll enjoy. Of course, it's a ridiculous thought; he knows it's a ridiculous thought. What happened happened. If he's going to keep moving forward, he can't dwell on it.
So!
The hot springs. Of course he accepts the invitation eagerly, and of course he's got a perfectly regular level of enthusiasm for the situation as they get changed.]
Hm, has it? For some reason, I would have assumed otherwise! I suppose that may just be me associating shinobi with more traditional things.
[And this feels traditional enough, with the ryokan and hot springs set up they've got going on here. Though it doesn't feel like it fits the rest of the aesthetic--]
I'm usually pretty busy with work. Plus I can't just visit any one either, most onsen would refuse me entry.
[ they are about to see each other naked, so there is no shame in the way raikou peeks out from behind the door of his locker to turn his left shoulder towards tsukasa, where he has a tattoo of a stylized lightning bolt there's the other tattoo on his right forearm, but this is one tsukasa hasn't seen before. ]
[It's obvious the moment he makes the connection. Right, the tattoos.]
I see... [He looks a little disgruntled by the idea of Raikou being refused entry, before he perks up again with great determination.]
Well! You can enjoy this one now, so there's no need to hold back at all!
[Tsukasa also does not see any reason to have any shame in being naked at the onsen, of course; when his clothing is properly put away in one of the baskets (folded tidily, of course), he'll just grab his designated Small Towel before he moves towards the showers to rinse off.]
[ today has been long, this weekend has been long as all weekends in this place seem to be. but at the end of it, after everyone has been checked up and the roses have had their chatter, it's just the two of them. in this very ridiculous box bed, but privacy is privacy and it might be better to feel like the world is just here for the moment.
raikou's dressed for bed, hair down and in pajamas with garish flamingos on them. the flamingos have sunglasses, don't ask.
once they're both inside, he reaches out wordlessly to pull tsukasa close. ]
We meet again Mr. Future Worldwide Star. [ it's a very silly greeting, softened by his voice and expression. ]
Anyway, there is something very comforting about these box beds nowadays. As ridiculous as they were to utilize initially, now... it really does feel like they block out the rest of the bad, at least for a moment. And there is so much bad--
But in this moment, it's easier for Tsukasa to pretend like there's just Raikou, especially when he's pulled closer like that.
His expression softens as well, and first and foremost, he tips his head up for a kiss.]
[ oh! of course he's happy to meet tsukasa, because even if they kissed good morning (as has become ritual), morning seems so very far away. his heart still flutters when they kiss, lips curved and warmed. ]
I think I might need to upgrade that nickname soon. You've become more powerful lately, but I'm not complaining. [ his arms settle around his waist comfortably, content to just have him in his arms. ]
[ here they are milling around the school (probably doing their Xth floor for the day) and raikou suddenly remembers something he read on the forums earlier this week. probably earlier this morning to be honest, he doesn't check the network too often.
(also, he has an actual destination in mind but he's trying to be sneaky about it). ] ]
Butterflies, huh? [ said teasingly, because his assumption is that the extras were just exaggerating... ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
post don-gate
off they go to...the rose garden. there's a few reasons for this but most importantly, it's a place where you can get a view of some other parts of the academy. raikou isn't under any impression that a chat in this place would be truly private, but you make do with what have you.
and after seeing what happened to don quioxte, he's thinking this will become evident sooner or later. he's quiet as they make their way, which is unlike him. he's not really a chatterbox so much as someone who's able to settle into conversations and among people, but until they arrive he makes the effort not to.
once they're inside, he turns to face tsukasa against the backdrop of red roses. ]
Why do you trust me? Is it just kindness?
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To the rose garden!
He's only just gotten his bearings, eyes sweeping over the roses and the milling Extras, when Raikou turns to face him.
With another mystifying question.]
What...?
Well, there is that, yes, but you've also never given me reason not to trust you.
[Trust until proven otherwise, of course, from Mr. Sunshine Boy over here.]
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[ don't answer that, because-
raikou still has his katana on his hip, as ridiculous as it looks being tucked into a tied sweatshirt around his waist. he moves fast and in an instant, left hand going to the hilt.
he's in tsukasa's space in a blink, his right hand balled, not into a fist but concealing something. ]
You can't.
[ he hasn't drawn his sword. ]
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Huh?
Tsukasa freezes--too late, belatedly, of course--eyes tracking from Raikou's hand on his hilt to that right hand balled up tight.
...??]
Wha... huh?
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[ he's not teasing. he could have done so several times over with a reaction speed like that.
he stays close, hands where they are. ]
Do you understand?
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WEEK 1 invest/post invest pre trial time wheee
time is fortunately something they have, at least for now.
once they enter the dorm (raikou is unfortunately checking all the rooms to see who is here and not here because he is like this) and he's satisfied they're alone, he'll tilt his head and ask again. ]
Are you okay? [ the other type of okay, this time. ]
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Well.
He's processing.
Processing as much as he can, given the circumstances.
Someone... dead? Someone actually...?
It almost startles him to realize they made it to the dorm; he stands there in the middle of the room, arms loose at his side, and looks... a little lost.]
He really... someone really...?
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[ it'd be hard not to notice tsukasa being quiet, but for better or worse it's not something raikou was in a position to address until now.
he comes closer, a bit into his space but not crowding. he feels like he should do something but he's not exactly sure what to do yet. ]
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Someone... actually died.
Someone actually murdered them.]
Even... even if you say that, I didn't really think... I just... can't imagine someone actually doing something like that.
[ah the normie life.]
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w1, post-trial
It's probably not a surprise that Tsukasa is quiet when they're finally able to leave the grand theater. It's probably also not a surprise that his expression is downcast--tired, worn out, and miserable. He's an open book, after all. No surprises there.
So he doesn't protest at all when Raikou makes the executive decision of where they're going next, following obediently. He's deep in thought, clearly, though for once not with his head in the clouds--and he only really looks up once they make it to the cafe.
Oh...
He doesn't speak until they're seated in one of the egg-booths, and then, quietly:]
It feels like so long ago that we chose at random to eat here. [IT WAS ONLY A FEW DAYS.]
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And even longer than that since I've had your cooking.
[ lightly teasing, more to see how tsukasa takes it. ]
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You've yet to have my cooking...! You've only tried my baking.
[Splitting hairs, Tsukasa.]
But I suppose that is something I should amend soon!
[Just in ca-- no, that's a morbid thought he absolutely will not entertain.]
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I'm glad you see my point. Surprise me, as long as it's Japanese.
[ he saw the food at trial but he definitely wasn't eating during it. ]
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week 2, monday night
(he does pause briefly and wonder if this isn't possibly the worst invitation to extend, but ultimately he figures that they'll be visiting this hot spring at some point this week. preparation counts for a lot, right? besides, going to an onsen is one of the most Japanese of Japanese relaxation times and they definitely deserve it)
they're in the bathhouse changing, raikou just finishing putting his hair up into a high ponytail to keep it out of the water. ]
It's been so long since I've had the time to visit an onsen...
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So!
The hot springs. Of course he accepts the invitation eagerly, and of course he's got a perfectly regular level of enthusiasm for the situation as they get changed.]
Hm, has it? For some reason, I would have assumed otherwise! I suppose that may just be me associating shinobi with more traditional things.
[And this feels traditional enough, with the ryokan and hot springs set up they've got going on here. Though it doesn't feel like it fits the rest of the aesthetic--]
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[ they are about to see each other naked, so there is no shame in the way raikou peeks out from behind the door of his locker to turn his left shoulder towards tsukasa, where he has a tattoo of a stylized lightning bolt there's the other tattoo on his right forearm, but this is one tsukasa hasn't seen before. ]
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[It's obvious the moment he makes the connection. Right, the tattoos.]
I see... [He looks a little disgruntled by the idea of Raikou being refused entry, before he perks up again with great determination.]
Well! You can enjoy this one now, so there's no need to hold back at all!
[Tsukasa also does not see any reason to have any shame in being naked at the onsen, of course; when his clothing is properly put away in one of the baskets (folded tidily, of course), he'll just grab his designated Small Towel before he moves towards the showers to rinse off.]
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week 2 post exe
raikou's dressed for bed, hair down and in pajamas with garish flamingos on them. the flamingos have sunglasses, don't ask.
once they're both inside, he reaches out wordlessly to pull tsukasa close. ]
We meet again Mr. Future Worldwide Star. [ it's a very silly greeting, softened by his voice and expression. ]
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Anyway, there is something very comforting about these box beds nowadays. As ridiculous as they were to utilize initially, now... it really does feel like they block out the rest of the bad, at least for a moment. And there is so much bad--
But in this moment, it's easier for Tsukasa to pretend like there's just Raikou, especially when he's pulled closer like that.
His expression softens as well, and first and foremost, he tips his head up for a kiss.]
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I think I might need to upgrade that nickname soon. You've become more powerful lately, but I'm not complaining. [ his arms settle around his waist comfortably, content to just have him in his arms. ]
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They're all exhausted.
Still, that comment gets him to quirk an eyebrow even from where he's oozing.]
Upgrade it? To what?
[It's Tsukasa's own phrase that he uses for himself all the time, so he's Intrigued.]
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week 3, wednesday afternoonish
(also, he has an actual destination in mind but he's trying to be sneaky about it). ] ]
Butterflies, huh? [ said teasingly, because his assumption is that the extras were just exaggerating... ]
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Tsukasa misses a step, and stumbles, startled to have the gossip brought up.]
Th-that's...!
I'm not--I mean, afraid is a very strong word...!
[It was not exaggerated, Raikou.]
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...it was true? [ sorry he will smooth over your ego in a moment, he's just legitimately this befuddled. ]
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N... no.........?
I--I'm not... scared of them, it's just...
[Yes it was true but now he's even more embarrassed because Raikou is looking at him like that.]
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