idealism | Fuda # 2 (Dial 1 to deny everything, dial 2 to dig yourself deeper.)

Stupid. If you don't want what you're thinking to be readable, then don't use the journals at all.

I saw someone with thought bubbles today. I don't think the journal decides whether or not you end up showing ...things. Is this how your empathy usually make people sound?

It's different for me.

It'll be over in a week or so, give or take. -- And no I'm not doing calculus, idiot.

Mhm. Usually you're the only one that knows what people are up to.

Then what are you thinking about?

I'm not going to pass out. I'm fine.

Why does it matter to you?

Do you have anything you prefer to do to keep you distracted?

Why shouldn't it? You're my partner.

I read. You could probably work on cleaning up whatever mess you left in the kitchen.

And you what?

I said I'd buy a new one! Or the equivalent of what buying is here.

I thought you wanted me to get back to the kitchen?

And that's all there is to do?

Fine, whatever. Get it done.

And possibly some burn marks. And the soot. It's not at ll like the library, I promise. [*flinch*.]

Is there a hurry?

It's better not be! I hope you realize you are not to set foot in the library here.

...Not particularly.

But you're always in the library!

So can I wait a little?

Which means it would be unforgivable if you were to ruin it for me.

And do what instead?

[*cringe*] What if I wanted to visit, but I'd promise not to break anything?

Talk?

[This is the sound of the journal slamming shut before he can embarrass himself further. Instead, he seeks out Tsuzuki in person, with a thought bubble marqueeing ]

We can talk.

[Considering how often Tsuzuki embarrasses himself and should be used to it, he still closes the journal gratefully. When he meets Hisoka, his own thought bubble appears helpfully.]

Is this place private enough for you?

It's as private as anywhere else.

Is that a yes or a no?

It's fine to talk here.

You're used to these things happening for weeks at a time?

They very rarely go longer than one. But yes, usually they come once per month.

If they pass by themselves, then I won't fret too much.

This is hardly as damaging as some of the others. There was a period where nobody could resist following commands. It could have gone worse than it was...

I don't know, this could be damaging in other ways. So they were like soldiers? Or slaves?

Both. Neither. It was just this feeling that you had to do what you were told. There wasn't any reason behind it. Not that there's a lot of reason behind most things.

[He drops his eyes after that, partly to keep from having to watch that stupid bubble over Tsuzuki's head feel sorry for him.]

So it mind-controlled people, or put compulsions in everyone's heads. How strange.
[Tsuzuki has a visceral reaction to that sentence. Disbelief and denial, mixed with a heavy dose of warm understanding. No pity, though. It's just that he's used to Hisoka being the strong one that the insecurity took him by surprise.]

[He places a finger beneath Hisoka's chin, as if he wants to lift it up.] You are, though.

[He hesitates to continue the spoken conversation, mostly because he's finding it difficult to focus on that thread under his own angst and Tsuzuki's emotion; normally, this would be when he closed off and threw a book at something. He looks up at the pressure from Tsuzuki's hand.] ...Shut up.

[The hand that lifted Hisoka's chin moved slightly upwards. Tsuzuki strokes his knuckles against his cheek, carefully. There are ways to distract you from your angst that doesn't involve words, you know.]

[Hisoka doesn't shove the hand away. Project:distraction has been a complete success.]

[\o/ And Tsuzuki got to show affection, so everybody wins.]

[Whatever the end of Tsuzuki's thought is, Hisoka doesn't watch, instead watching Tsuzuki's eyes intently, wishing to feel his answer in the conventional way without the weird psychic reverb that came from the bubbles.]

[The bubbles are more like training wheels for those of us that aren't empaths. Tsuzuki holds Hisoka's gaze, and feels like a hidden tension in his chest is finally unwinding. ...It is probably a good thing he doesn't see the bubbles, since Tsuzuki can't control his thought processes properly anymore.]

[After some hesitation, he offers a small smile, more of a mouth twitch than anything else. He's trying, at least.]

[Well, Tsuzuki didn't really expect anything in return because he knows how hard feelings are for Hisoka. And he's not going to touch without permission. :|]

[Leans forward until their foreheads almost touch, then straightens again. It was an almost-caress. And he's still smiling a little.]

[And Tsuzuki just realizes that might not have been the best thing to say.]

Are you all right? You look a little pale.

[Hisoka appreciates this. And considering how touching brings up Muraki-flavored memories more often than not, it's really in Tsuzuki's own best interest to keep his hands to himself for a the duration of this event.] I'm fine. -- This kitchen's filthy, though. [Because clearly the best way to handle what just happened is to pretend that nothing out of the ordinary occurred.]

[Actually, he was already waiting for permission before touching him again now. He has a few Muraki-flavored memories himself, after all.]

[Denial and alcohol is Tsuzuki's weapon of choice, but since there's no alcohol...Ignoring it for a while is totally okay.] Do you want to help me clean it? That way we'll get it done faster.

[Oh there's plenty of alcohol in the village. Two bars, in fact.] I'll probably have to help you anyway. Knowing you, you'll get bored and wander away if left unsupervised.

[Tsuzuki does not know this, but just you wait.] Hey! I only did that once.

[Oh dear.] Because I've been there to supervise every time since.

[Shark-intro music. Poor, unsuspecting drink.] Are you sure I can't bribe you so we can get out of here? [And while he says this, he goes and gets the broom and sponges. Clearly, his mouth is not connected to his brain.]

[Hisoka hopes Tsuzuki doesn't expect him to mop up after his drunken antics.] Bribe me with what?

[He rather expects Hisoka to talk loudly while he's hungover, then get him some painkillers.]

I was going to say, I'm open to suggestions. I don't think you really liked the pie you had earlier.

[That sounds about right.]

That's because it was ridiculously oversaturated with sugar.

So if it had tasted more tart, like apples, you might have liked it?

My world doesn't revolve around dessert, Tsuzuki. Why is that so difficult for you to understand?

What does your life revolve around, then?

Apparently, It's inexplicably centered around babysitting a manchild.

...Did you just say your life centered around me?

Shut up.

How about I try to find you a book?

You don't have to do any of that.

I know, but I want to.

You're ridiculous.

[Hisoka can probably feel how confused he is by what he read from Hisoka's bubble.]

It would be easier if I knew what kind of books you liked, I suppose.

[Luckily, Hisoka doesn't much care about that.]

I keep telling you not to worry about it.

Can I at least guess?

If you have to.

Not comedy, I think. Classics, maybe.

They have their charm.

And I know I've seen you read books not written in Japanese...

Sometimes English is a welcome challenge.

[He seems to be under the impression that thinking a command hard enough would make it happen.]

Are English books very different?

[It would have probably worked remarkably well if Tsuzuki was an empath. Sadly, he is not. Also, seeing someone grow that red while not speaking is an interesting situation to be in.]

Because there's absolutely no reason for either of you to talk to each other for any reason.

What if you got picked up by the scientists and we were worried?

Just don't be worried.

Hisoka.

Tsuzuki.

Do you ever get worried about me?

I don't want to talk about this right now.

Do you have a headache?

...Will that make you stop asking private things when we're stuck like this?

If you have one, I'll go easier on you.

Then it's terrible and throbbing.

Do you want us to take a break so you can deal with that terrible and throbbing problem of yours in private?

...I meant peace and quiet. For your head. Lack of people would help with that.

.. I wouldn't hate that.

Sounds like a deal.

[Without further discussion, Hisoka retreats up to the privacy of his bedroom, fully expecting Tsuzuki to follow.]

[Tsuzuki only hesitates for a moment before he follows. If Hisoka's forgotten about the kitchen, he certainly's not planning on reminding him just yet.]

[It's not that he's forgotten the kitchen, really. More like he was mostly supervising Tsuzuki's work and decided to supervise elsewhere. If Tsuzuki wants to deal with his housemates' stares and grumbles, it's really his own damn problem.] I'd almost forgotten how lazy you are.

[Hisoka, you softie. Tsuzuki prefers bedroom over kitchen for the moment, though. Although being able to read their room-mates thoughts after he ruined their kitchen is probably, er, interesting.] I thought you wanted me to be quiet?

[Shh don't tell anyone.] Just keep the stupid things to yourself.

[He smirks slightly and grabs a book from his desk, sitting up against his headboard.] ...Have your wings stopped bothering you yet?

[With a small shrug, Tsuzuki takes a seat at the other end of the bed.] I guess.

Oh. That reminds me, did you know there are telepaths in town?

I didn't think it would be that big of a surprise for you. It's simple physics, anyway.

[But then Tsuzuki asks that, and Hisoka's body stiffens. His little thought bubble produces an image of a silver-haired teenager with an infuriating smirk.] Stay away from anyone with powers like that, do you understand me?

[It's somewhat unexpected to hear Hisoka telling him to stay away from people, so Tsuzuki jumps to conclusions.]

I will, but... Why?

Just trust me. You don't want to get involved with the others who have powers like mine.

I like being involved with you. Why wouldn't I like them?

Then again, I think I prefer that you know me and my secrets. I don't want every mindreader here to know.

The one I've met likes to toy with people. He doesn't ask permission before he grabs information from you. [And yes, his thought bubble might have momentarily flashed to Muraki working a knife into him. Just a moment, though.]

[As if the brief flash of silver hair earlier hadn't reminded Tsuzuki of Muraki, a knife wound certainly does. Tsuzuki tenses up.]

What was his name?

Joshua.

[Horrified silence. Tsuzuki wants to comfort him, but he also wants to punch Joshua. That is probably a strange thing to pick up emphatically. :|]

I'll stay away from him.

[Just ignore the sudden fetal position, will you? It's embarrassing.]

... Thanks.

[He's kind of ignoring it, as if it's normal that Hisoka sometimes do that. Tsuzuki places a hand on the bed, close to his partner but carefully not touching him.]

Hisoka, can I touch you, or is it a bad time?

...I don't know. [It's an honest answer. Generally it's a blanket no-brainer "no," but Tsuzuki transcends most of his usual rules.]

[Tsuzuki nods, and doesn't move.]

That's okay.

You're angry still. Don't be. It was a long time ago.

[Tsuzuki gives up, and lets his fingers tips brush Hisoka's hand.]

I can't help it. ...Do people know about Muraki, here?

[That might have been okay a minute ago, but thinking of Muraki by name triggers the hell out of him. He snatches his hand back jerkily.]

No.

[Tsuzuki masks the hurt with patient understanding. Hisoka doesn't like to be touched, after all.] Sorry.

Good. Let's hope they never will.

No. It's not you.

There's no reason for them to have any idea he exists.

I shouldn't have pushed.

People here are scared of shinigami. How did they find out about that?

I don't want to talk about it.

..They are? I don't talk much about what I do. Maybe there are other shinigami here that I haven't met?

You don't have to.

I said it once, on accident. What do you say when people ask you, Hisoka?

People don't ask much. I don't volunteer it.

Edited 2010-04-30 06:46 (UTC)

How weird. I get asked. Oh well.

By the way, I was thinking of inviting someone to the house.

It's none of their business what we do. [It helps that he doesn't have substantial conversations with most of the people here.]

Why do you think I'd care? Do what you want.

So do you have any suggestions to what I can say, instead of telling them the truth?

I don't want to do it if it gives you headaches, Hisoka.

When it comes up, I usually just tell them we investigate murders. It's better for the ones who don't speak Japanese.

I've gotten used to it. This isn't exactly a quiet house.

That's a really good suggestion, actually.

It really isn't. Two people playing instruments, Duo and Hijiri are chatty and I doubt I'm quiet. Do you get any sleep at all?

Of course it is. The foreigners all hear "death god" when we talk about Shinigami. It creates too many questions I don't have the patience to answer.

I get enough.

It's not exactly ideal to talk too much about our jobs, anyway. Hijiri knows what we are, that should be enough.

Good.

He knows more than he should have to know, if you ask me.

I am so!

At least he's not going to tell people. [Tilting his head to the side, Tsuzuki reaches out to pull at the book Hisoka brought with him to bed.] What are you reading?

I know, Hisoka.

He already told Duo. It's a Chinese book that details the mythology behind the traditional four legendary spirits. If there's one thing these wings are good for, it's understanding languages.

Duo is his partner, it's normal that he talks with him. The four... Are those the spirits that reminds of Byakko, Suzaku, Seiryuu and Genbu? Is it interesting?

I suppose. That doesn't really make it any better, though. ...And it's not all that stimulating from a narrative standpoint, but it's interesting to see what China has to say about it.

I think it's cute. He obviously trusts him if he told him that. Why did you pick up this title, anyway?

He trusts too easily. Curiosity.

He has no reason to be distrustful of people anymore. That apparently killed a kneazle.

Edited 2010-04-30 23:04 (UTC)

That doesn't mean he should just blindly throw himself at the first person to pay attention to him. A...what?

That's a terrible thing to say about him, 'Soka. I don't know what it is. Draco said it. Apparently it shouldn't be alone with Curiousity.

It's also a true thing. He's been stuck here too long and it's driven him stir-crazy. ...Have you been talking to him?

You've been here a long time, too. Maybe.

What's that supposed to mean? Tsuzuki. What did you do?

Nothing at all. I didn't talk that much to him. Why?

It must mean something or you wouldn't have said it. ...No reason.

It's not important. Is there something I shouldn't say to him?

...If you're sure. That depends on what you were planning to say.

I wasn't going to tell him anything embarrassing about you, if that's what you're worried about.

You'd better not.

Do you have a blanket, or do you want me to go get mine? I don't need it.

I'll be fine.

[He takes one of Hisoka's hands between both of his and ignores their thought-bubbles.]

You are cold.

...It's nothing. Stop worrying about it.

Maybe later. Get over here.

... Don't you dare tell anyone. [He quietly scoots closer to Tsuzuki.]

I wasn't planning to. [wraps an arm around his shoulders, mindful of the wings.]

Edited 2010-05-01 05:56 (UTC)

[There's tension in his body as Tsuzuki pulls him closer, but he makes it a point to keep from shoving him away. He can't do much about the defensive puffiness in his wings, though.]

[Ironically, Tsuzuki becomes much calmer by the proximity, and probably feels very mellow. He turns his head and looks at the state of Hisoka's wings curiously. And after some thought, he gently pets one.]

[He's starting to relax, in the tiniest of fractions.]

[Tsuzuki is still ignoring the thought-bubbles in favor of body language. Since he sits so close, he can almost notice that Hisoka's less tense. With a sigh, he brushes his hand against the feathers on the other wing, as well.]

[Fortunately, since that's terribly personal and might be uncomfortable, Hisoka's eyes have drifted away from Tsuzuki's bubble. His own is quickly becoming overtaken by an image of wings. Slowly, hesitantly, he leans against Tsuzuki's chest.]

[Funny how such a little thing could have such an impact, but it makes Tsuzuki happy. He moves a little to sit comfortably with Hisoka, then continues to caress the wings. He's still very careful with his touches, because his partner can be skittish about physical contact.]

[Generally speaking, yes. But Tsuzuki's taking such care to be gentle, and he feels so warm and happy, and that hand on his wings is amazing. Though still moving at the slow pace of a rabbit expecting to be devoured by a wolverine, he slides an arm up Tsuzuki's front, hooking it over his shoulder to support himself even as he's being held.]

[Tsuzuki sits quietly until Hisoka's arm is around his neck, feeling content and trusting. His partner willingly touching him is slightly unexpected, but completely welcome. He's needed this moment for a while. With a soft smile, he runs his fingers through feathers, thankful that he's allowed to do so.]

[The words in his thought bubble are beginning to grow hazy and out of focus as he sinks against Tsuzuki, synchronizing with the calm patience and lulled by the gentle rhythm of his heartbeat.]

Edited 2010-05-02 03:32 (UTC)

[Careful not to stir the inert form in his arms, Tsuzuki stopped his petting and instead gently massaged the nape of his neck. He didn't want to speak up and ruin the calm if Hisoka had fallen asleep. And he didn't exactly mind being a living pillow, either.]

[Very reluctantly, Tsuzuki looked down and whispered.]

Tired?

Mnh.. No I'm fine. [proclaims the little wisp of a voice half-muted by sleep.] Already told you I sleep plenty.

Yeah, I remember you saying that. [And with that he steals a cuddle, otherwise he'd end up saying something like "you're cute when you're sleepy", or worse "you can fall asleep on me more often." He sees no reason to push the empath away before he requests privacy, however. So Tsuzuki holds him close and runs his fingers through Hisoka's hair.]

[At the cuddle, he whines and paws at Tsuzuki's front, though without any real strength behind the gesture.] The hell are you doing?? Get off. [As if Tsuzuki was the one who'd gotten on.]

Heh. [It's all very cute, which is why Tsuzuki hooks his free hand under Hisoka's knees and holds his back up with the other as he stands up.] I will, then you can sleep.

I don't need to.. [But he's limp as he's lifted, perhaps as an expression of trust he'll refuse to acknowledge when he wakes.]

[Tsuzuki's thought bubble returns to quick flashes of a case of theirs where he had to bring him home and to bed. Careful about his neck, he let his partner down on the bed. And he would let him go, except..]

[...]

Are you going to let go off of my shirt?

[The words in his bubble run together, flickering in and out of focus as he groggily settles into bed. His arm does slide away from Tsuzuki's neck though, prompted by gravity to fall bonelessly at his side. At least he's not drunk this time?]

[Tsuzuki realizes that he could have a peek now, but it would also be a terrible breach of privacy. He touches Hisoka's hand wistfully instead, before pulling the blanket closer around him. ...Progress! Though drunk!bubbles would have been fun.]

[By now, Hisoka's really in no condition to argue about his privacy, and as Tsuzuki tucks him in, his thoughts are a churning grey pool. He hasn't yet begun his nightly journey into intense stomach-churning nightmare, but it shouldn't take very long if Tsuzuki decides to hang around. Provided it is never spoken of again, of course.]

[Curiosity will be the bane of his existence. :|||| But he stays, because he keeps telling himself he just wants to make sure that Hisoka gets a good dream. Then he'd leave.]

[Hisoka whimpers softly, squirming.]

[Hisoka's beginning to toss now.] N..no.. Tsuzuki..

[Hisoka's quickly driving himself into hysterics; near the end of the dream he's dissolved into hoarse screaming. Sorry, Tsuzuki. :(]

Edited 2010-05-03 03:15 (UTC)

[The reason Tsuzuki didn't shake him out of his own personal hell-vision is because it took him by surprise, and so petrified him. Finally snapping out of it when Hisoka's screaming behind, he grabs a hold of one shoulder and shakes sharply. He half-way expect the empath to roast his hand for it.]

Hisoka!

[Eh he would've heard the screaming sooner or later since their rooms are next door to one another. Since Tsuzuki's arrival, he's been half-expecting Muraki to jump out from some bushes any second now. He jolts awake when he's shaken, shooting upright.] DON'T TOUCH ME.

[At least he's awake now, but Tsuzuki still jumps back at the outburst and blinks his eyes that has gotten misty from the dream.] Hisoka, it's all right! It's a nightmare!

Get out.

[The relief is pouring off of him in waves, even if his voice is a little shaky. He gets up and takes a few steps towards the door, not giving a second glance at the bubble.] I will, in a second, but not until I know you're all right.

I'm fine. Now get the hell out! [He's desperate to create distance between them and throws the closest book at him. It made sense at the time.]

[It hits him on the chest, making him throw his hand up to catch it as it falls.] I will, Hisoka. Just calm down. [And he opens the door, realizing that the whole house probably heard the yelling. It's a good thing he leaves, though, otherwise Hisoka would get a facefull of his guilt-trip.]

DON'T TELL ME WHAT TO DO. [He gets out of bed long enough to slam the door behind Tsuzuki's retreating back.]

OW! That's it! I'm keeping this [reads] diary!

ASATO TSUZUKI DON'T YOU DARE. [This is Hisoka storming out of his bedroom and stalking back toward Tsuzuki, holding a hand out expectantly.]

[Belated realization.] You keep a diary?

[AND ACTUALLY. Since Hisoka looks like he's out for blood, Tsuzuki will dare! Meaning, he'll flee back to his own room and wait until Hisoka's calmed down.]

TSUZUKI! [And now he's banging on Tsuzuki's door without regard to who might be trying to sleep at this hour.] GIVE IT BACK. THAT ISN'T YOURS, YOU DIRTY THIEF. [Really things were a lot better when he was unconscious.]

I'll let you in if you quiet down! ~~And promise not to decapitate me.~~

No promises.

....

"DEAR DIARY."

FINE you can live. This time.

[Since he stood right on the other side of the door, it takes only two seconds before he opens. But he's not holding the diary, so he was clearly just bluffing about reading it.]

What did you do with it. [He hates you so much right now Tsuzuki.]

[He doesn't need empathy to know that; the death glares are enough.] On the night-side table.

[He stalks to the table and snatches the book.] Feel free to apologize.

I'm sorry ~~you threw your diary at me~~ I took your diary hostage. Next time I'll just hand it back.

But I shouldn't apologize for the other thing, Hisoka.

[LALALA NOT LISTENING. IF HE DIDN'T HEAR IT TSUZUKI DIDN'T SAY IT.] ... Apology accepted.

Hisoka, I won't suddenly stop wanting to wake you when you're crying out in your sleep. If that means you'll yell at me when you wake up, then I'm fine with that.

...How much did you hear?

You didn't really say much.

...That's probably for the best.

You know what we should do?

Do I want to know?

~~ICECREAM~~. Let's get some water for your voice. I think you ruined it from yelling about me being a petty thief.

Edited 2010-05-04 03:27 (UTC)

I wouldn't have needed to yell if you hadn't been acting like a petty thief.

You could have trusted me.

Why would I ever want to do that?

It would make less of our housemates wonder why you scream my name at night? Since you wouldn't have to?

I scream a lot of other things too. I'm sure they'll get the gist.

Like what?

Oh, I know. Instead of water, let's make tea. That'll help you to relax again.

Give me long enough and I'm sure there'll be death threats.

I'm perfectly relaxed.

Hisoka, are your dreams always that bad?

Edited 2010-05-04 04:36 (UTC)

I don't know what you're talking about.

When you woke up you sounded terrified . Don't shut me out, please?

...It was just a nightmare. I get them sometimes. You know that.

I know, but... Are they always that bad?

Not always.

Hisoka. Tea. Come, please. [Tsuzuki wraps an arm around his shoulders before he has time to remember what a bad idea that can be.]

Don't touch me. [He cringes, shoving Tsuzuki off with a jolt from the local thunder magic this time. It's still too soon for that kind of contact.]

[Yeah, ow. It was a good thing there was a wall there to stop him, since he hadn't expected it. Wincing as he gets up again, Tsuzuki looks intently at Hisoka's face to try to figure out just how scared his partner was.]

I'm really sorry. I should've remembered.

[He pauses, since it really has been ages since Hisoka was that afraid of being touched.]

It's not certain he comes. For all we know, Touda may have brought him back to GenSouKai to snack on him.

I have a theory about this place. [He purposefully avoids Tsuzuki's eyes, though his bubble flickers regularly to images from his nightmare; mostly the look of Tsuzuki's bloodless corpse and the glimpses of Muraki's suit.] For -- some of the people here.. -- they can be alone for a while. But then sometimes there's some kind of flood of people that come from the same world, where all of a sudden a large group is drawn here. There've been people like him. ...Now that you've been brought here, it might be a sign. [As much as he's softened during his time here, he's done some regressing in other ways. Sorry, Tsuzuki. :(] Plenty of people arrive here posthumously, too.

[Tsuzuki quickly averts his eyes from the thought-bubble when it becomes apparent that it's the nightmare.] ...But if he gets here, he'll still be in the dark about how his wings work. That'll give us a head-start, if nothing else.

Are there any people like him still here, 'Soka?

Death isn't permanent here. Nobody's told you that yet? [And in the case of Muraki, Hisoka doesn't sound very pleased by the prospect.]

A few. They're usually less devious, though.

I think one did.

Hisoka, you don't think I'd let him get near you, do you? Even if he showed up.

When people come back, there's something missing from them.

I'm preparing for the worst.

Does that mean he can speak, usually?

He used to.

There's no way for him to regain his voice?

There's someone here who says he can reverse death penalties, but I wouldn't trust him enough to suggest it as an option.

If he could, shouldn't Sheik have asked him already?

He's connected to our captors. If it were me, I'd rather keep the penalty.

Does anyone know why he's helping?

Well. I don't have one.

He keeps his motives to himself, but some of the others who've made their presence known to us regard him as an eccentric. They seem to find him brilliant and let him have his hobbies.

...As stunning a strategy as I'd expected.

So he's like Watari with a budget. ...And less sugar.

I think we should focus on what to do not to scare our housemates, but keep them safe.

Something like that.

How would you suggest we go about doing that?

That's not as comforting a thought as I thought it would be.

Codewords.

So you understand why some people choose not to seek his services.

What would they accomplish?

...As much as I'd like to keep all cards on the table, there are certain subjects about his history that might be unpleasant to talk to housemates about. And I'd really not want them to catch his name from one of us and think he's a friend.

That's the trouble with talking to people in general.

We should let them know what he looks like, if nothing else. Do you have any suggestions that won't make me worry to death?

Edited 2010-05-05 17:18 (UTC)

But at the same time, telling them anything could just make them want to play hero. They don't know what they'd be getting into. ...You worry about everything. It's a failing of yours.

Normally I'd agree, but it's too risky not to tell them. Look at Duo and Hijiri, for example. All Muraki would have to do would be to ask if anyone knew where the shinigami lived, and he'd find them. Maybe we should just tell them his blood is green acid, so don't open the door for him.

I'm more concerned about the things he would do to others. We aren't the most powerful people here. He could easily attach himself to unsuspecting people. Plenty of them are dumb enough to believe anything they're told.

That's not their fault. He's good at manipulating people.

So obviously, keeping an eye on him would be ideal.

....If you did manage to kill him temporarily, do you think that might release you from the curse?

A quiet eye. He'd probably find a way to turn any warnings to his advantage.

[The second bit startles him, though.] I doubt I'd be so fortunate.

I'd not be surprised if he chose to make his story into "a doctor, haunted by two otherworldly beings for defying death".

But if you were?

...It wouldn't be entirely off the mark. I've gotten that reaction before.

It's stupid to fantasize about something that probably won't happen.

From whom?

No. It's human.

He calls himself Brook. I haven't met him in person, but he claims to have used magic to grant himself forty years after his death to finish his business on earth.

... Stop that.

I haven't met anyone with that name, either. Forty years is a serious breach, though.

... Hisoka?

He seems terrified that someone will fetch him. It's almost tragic.

..Hm?

Is he afraid to be fetched because he's not finished what he got the extension for? Either way, it is tragic.

... I think you should think about what you want to do, if you manage to get rid of the curse he put on you.

I think that was it. He didn't want to talk about it in too much detail.

I'll figure it out when it happens.

Well. Anyone that sticks around for that long probably has a good reason.

Really? If it were me, I would've thought about it a lot.

We all have our reasons for doing what we do.

I prefer to think about constructive things.

If we didn't, life would be boring. [Tsuzuki sits down on his own bed, clutching a pillow.]

Like what?

[Hisoka edges closer to the opposite end of the bed, regarding Tsuzuki and the pillow shrewdly.]

Stop trying to get inside my head, Tsuzuki. I don't like it.

[Tsuzuki pulls his legs up, being as obvious as ever about the free spot Hisoka can sit down on.]

I'd let you get inside mine.

[He sighs and sinks down in the furthest corner from Tsuzuki as possible.]

I could complain about it from here. It would be redundant.

[He still sat down, so it's a good start.]

That hasn't stopped you before.

[Baby steps.]

I don't want to.

[At least they're making them.]

Is it true that regular animals talk here?

[Somewhat.]

There's some magic here that makes everyone's languages understandable. Apparently, it includes animal life.

[Give them time.]

That explains why the giant turtles talked.

Giant turtles?

One, at least. A giant turtle with a flame thrower.

.... What.

I thought it was kind of interesting until it started to yell at me.

Well of course it did.

I didn't know you liked kittens, 'Soka. Have you turned into a cat-person?

I've done no such thing.

Good, because I thought you were a dog-person.

No.

That's pretty. Where did you see that? [Tsuzuki has no idea what a Patronus is, so he thinks it's a nature spirit. His thought bubble idly show Byakko with wings, though, and a feather sticking it out out his mouth.]

Edited 2010-05-07 18:01 (UTC)

It's the spirit animal of someone I met here. [Hisoka's had the Patronus concept explained to him, but that's how he understands it. As far as he's concerned, it's an annoying scrawny dog.]

I didn't know that you could get shikigami here. Do you have a spirit animal, too?

You can't. It's something from a different world.

That's too bad. It might have been fun.

[Tsuzuki gets up from the bed and places the pillow at the end of it.]

I'm going to go make that tea. Do you want me to get a cup for you?

Sure. I'd like one.

Green, or apple and cinnamon?

Green would be the best.... But I probably can't trust you not to mess up even something that simple. [He hops off the bed, giving Tsuzuki a derisive stare.]

[Tsuzuki catches the meaning fairly quickly, and hides a smile.] You better come along, then. You know I have a habit of putting sugar in everything.

I don't know how you've managed to keep from becoming diabetic. [Hisoka brushes past him, focusing more on trying to bury his thoughts and keep them away from his bubble.]

Probably the shinigami body's fault. --Oh no. You don't think that we got new bodies when we got here? Because if these are human I can't drink as much as I did! Or eat! [And he follows Hisoka down to the kitchen, caught up in his new rambly thought.]

You'll find out when you embarrass yourself sooner or later. I'm surprised you haven't come home stumbling yet.

I've been busy! Besides, why would I stumble home? Can you get the cups, 'Soka? [Tsuzuki rummages through the cupboards to find the different blends of tea.]

I've seen you drunk, Tsuzuki. You stumble. [And not that he's indulging that kind of command, he fetches some proper tea cups without further complaint.]

I guess. A little bit. But there's not a lot of places to drink here. Unless these wings make us react to water as if it's alcohol, or something.

Thank you. [Of course not. He's just making sure Tsuzuki doesn't break the good cups. ♥ But Tsuzuki gratefully takes from him and places them on the counter, before putting on the water.]

You realize there are two bars near the center of town, right?

Whatever. [He leans against the kitchen counter to watch the water boil, just to give him a focal point that isn't Tsuzuki's bubble.]

What? No, I didn't! But that's great news.

You grump. [Tsuzuki pops a sugar cube into his mouth, hoping he was quick enough not to be noticed.]

You haven't gone exploring yet?

There's nothing wrong with that. [Hisoka's attention is still elsewhere, so it can be considered sugar well stolen.]

No, not yet. But I might do so tomorrow, if this bubble stops popping up.

You're right. [Tsuzuki looks over Hisoka's shoulder to see what's so interesting. He only sees the water.] Hisoka, there's a saying about watching pots boil.

Get used to it. It might go on all week.

It's a scientifically impossible saying. It's going to boil sooner or later.

Let's hope it doesn't!

[But he still watches the water over Hisoka's shoulder. For a moment, before he speaks up.] ...Unless I forgot to put on the stove.

Look! The first bubble! It's warm enough. [Tsuzuki tries to move a little quickly so Hisoka won't have time to be annoyed by his first comment. He takes the pot off the plate and pours water into their cups.]

You're entirely too excited about that.

[He pretends he doesn't hear that. Tsuzuki is sleepy, so the cheerfulness was just a little forced.]

I wish they had Tsujiri's green tea, here. I think you would've liked it better than the cheap brand.

So should we go upstairs again, or do you want to sit down on the couch?

[Hisoka can detect that, but he's trying to refrain from commenting about it for now.]

It doesn't matter. Tea is tea.

The couch is fine.

Agreed. [He looks up at the tugging.]

No I'm not. [He is.]

[Tsuzuki releases the sleeve and lifts his hand up, as if he's waiting for permission to touch him.] Please?

[He frowns lightly, but settles down beside Tsuzuki anyway, fussing with his teabag.]The tea here is too fine. It's overprocessed, like it was never made from proper leaves in the first place.

[It wasn't a 'no', so Tsuzuki dares to tuck a strand of Hisoka's hair behind his ear, before he settles back against the couch.] It does too taste like leaves. It just... tastes like they ground up a few frogs in the mix, too.

[He doesn't push Tsuzuki away, but he doesn't do much to acknowledge the contact otherwise. At least there's no violence?] And how do you know what ground frogs taste like? Is that the voice of experience speaking?

[*erk*] Hisoka! [...And he ends up laughing lightly.] No, but that's a long story.

There's not a lot to do around here but tell long stories.

Okay. But keep in mind that it was ~~mostly~~ Terazuma's fault.

I'm sure you're completely innocent.

Exactly.

Before Terazuma got his shikigami, the only way we could argue were the old fashioned way. ...That kind of violence drove the office nuts. Konoe used to give us time-outs in Watari's lab, since we used to argue so much that no one else got any work done.

...You know where this is heading, don't you?

How do you manage to still have a job?

[~~The count is a pervert~~ ~~The department would go bankrupt if they fired me every time I destroyed-~~]

I have a very dedicated partner that helps me with my paperwork.

[Tsuzuki drinks the last of his tea and put the cup on the table.]

Do you have any left of your frog tea?

You do realize what kind of a backlog we'll probably come back to find. I hope you don't expect to go out for ice cream while I'm working on it.

[Hisoka's cup is still three-quarters full; he's barely touched it since they sat together.]

Eh. I had enough.

It'll be just fine. What if I promise to bring you ice cream as a thank-you for the hard work?

[Tsuzuki has the good sense to feel bashful, once he notices that Hisoka avoided his tea.]

...Maybe I shouldn't have told that story while you were drinking.

I'd ask you to remember that I'm not the one who can be bought with food.

I'm not disgusted. It's fine. ...I'll do the dishes. [He stands and clears the teacups briskly.]

[Tsuzuki reluctantly stays on the couch, following Hisoka with his eyes. He squirms, clearly wondering what his partner is thinking about.]

Do you need any help with those?

Edited 2010-05-19 00:10 (UTC)

[What kind of a dork is this person? ... (random German word)]

Yes... I would say that the frying pan is pretty much gone at this point.

[A giant one. That doesn't know German.]

I didn't know you could break one.

It's very difficult to do. [But apparently it is possible if though I would have guessed not]

Stupid handle.

Are you sure it was just the handle? [Have you tried a spatula?]

...It started with the handle.

I see... very interesting. [... That flat utensil with the handle. You use it flip food in the frying pan.]

Do you know where I can find a new one?

Possibly one of the shops will have others. [I'm Schuldig. Your name is Tsuzuki.]

[ooc: Not sure if you know, but Schuldig is a telepath so that's why he knew his name.]

I hope so, or there will never be pancakes again.

[ooc: That's cool, I knew. Feel free to catch more about him if he wants.]

And that would be a shame. [It's rather easy when one happens to be a telepath... Why the heck did I just write that?]

[ooc: okie dokie]

It would!

Well, I'm sure you'll be able to find another one.

[Empathy and telepathy are quite a bit different, though in someways similar. So... you are quite close to this Hisoka?]

Or else I could always borrow one from the neighbors, I guess.

Hisoka's my partner.

Perhaps that would work as well... as long as the frying pan doesn't have another... accident.

[Yes, I can control it. It is quite useful if I do say so.] Ah, I see.

That makes it sound like I'm the frying-pan mafia.

Do you have friends in Luceti?

And perhaps you are. It's hard to tell with some people.

[Most likely since I can actually hear your thoughts, not just your emotions] I do know people in Luceti. [Wouldn't call them friends... I wish there was a way to turn this off...]

I'm not. Trust me.

I'm sorry to hear that. Why aren't they friends of yours?

Well, then it is good you are not apart of the frying pan mafia.

[Some would probably consider that. I'm not sure how many are here.] I guess we don't really have the same interests in common.

Yes. No kitchen would stand a chance if I were. Well, they don't do that now, anyway.

Sorry. What kind of interests do you have?

I'd say that is probably safe bet even though you aren't.

[I've been a telepath my entire life. Oh? And who would that be?] I find quite a bit of enjoyment in the work that I do. I cook some... though several of the people I work with claim that is food poisoning waiting to happen.

So mean! I've only blown up one so far.

I don't find nearly enough enjoyment in my work. You cook? What do you like to make? My old coworkers used to give me nicknames because my stomach handled a lot of near-poisonous things. I'm sure I could eat your cooking without trouble.

Ah well then that's a different story.

[It was a bit after that, I do admit. Ah... I will have to... look out for him.] I guess that happens with some jobs. Not every job that people can find can be fun. Mostly German food since I am from Germany. Ah. Then perhaps I will have to make something for you.

I promise not to blow up yours.

Exactly. But since I'm not allowed to quit, I try to focus on the people at work instead. You really would? I'd like that! I haven't had German food ever, so I don't know what it's like.

Thank you. I'd like to keep it in one piece.

[Oh, I will. I will be careful.] Ah. Sounds like a tough job if you aren't allowed to quit. Then we will have to arrange that.

It could be worse. After I got a partner I haven't been forced to do that much paperwork.

What is German food like, if you could compare it to something?

[...Thank you.] Yes, paper work is always the worst part of the job.

Uh... I guess it is similar to Irish food?

Yes, it is! I don't understand people that prefer it over being out in the field.

So... potatoes instead of rice or pasta?

Yes, I know. I would much rather be out. Good thing one of my team members rather likes doing paperwork.

Yes, more potatoes... wurst... that sort of thing.

What kind of work does your team do?

The worst what?

Various different kinds of information. Whatever ends up our way.

Wurst. It's the German word for sausage.

I bet there's a lot of information that can be gathered here. Do you take clients?

Oh, I see. I've never tried them.

Yes, there probably is. I hadn't thought about it before, but I guess that I could.

Then you will have to.

[ooc: oh no... Schuldig with a job *lol*]

Because if you did, there's some information I'd really want. So if you ever wanted a client...

I'm looking forward to it.

[ooc: XD]

I think I could be persuaded to take a job while here.

[...Thank you.] We'll have to set that up then.

Great! Maybe we could meet up sometime to talk about it.

Yes, we will have to do that.

[ooc: should we do another post of them meeting and discussing stuff?]

[ooc: We can! It'd probably be interesting.]

[ooc: there is a new post here (http://telepathicchaos.livejournal.com/1650.html) if you want to reply.]

(deleted comment)

Meditation is boring and makes me hungry.

(deleted comment)

Do you do it often?

A fuda is a written spell. They're common in Japanese mythology.

(ooc: got it!)

(deleted comment)

You'll be bored sooner than you realize.

Hey! Let's try to show each other pictures through our thoughts. What did your old home look like?

(deleted comment)

If you're sure. But since we can't take pictures here, and travelling doesn't work, then this could be the only chance to really show anyone where you've been.

[Tsuzuki is used to having Hisoka read him, and therefor he's less self-conscious about the stream of images he projects:]

(deleted comment)

[If Aros hadn't figured it out yet, Tsuzuki's recollection of NYC is based on television and tourist books he's seen, as well as his own desire to see more of the city. That's why it looks terribly glossed-over. Tsuzuki get comfortable and gives him a curious glance.]

What is the rest of it like?

My work lets me travel around.

Tsuzuki? [Oh hi, have a Link who's been watching the thoughts going through his head in some fascination. His own thought bubble is stubbornly green, but there's some general confusion floating through it.]

...What did you do to the frying pan? And what's duct tape?

((OOC: It's been almost a week, so I'm going to assume they've been introduced?))

I didn't do anything! I was trying to help it!

[ooc: makes sense to me!]

Help... the frying pan? [Okay, he can safely say that's one thing he's never helped.] Huh... what's that... duct tape stuff?

The duct tape was supposed to be the help. Anyway, the stove didn't want any of that.

I was thinking of planting bluebells outside your window, Link. Do you prefer other flowers?

That's okay, I get things messy too. And then Sheik tells me off for it.

[Bluebells?] I don't really have a room yet... I'm still sharing with Sheik. Stupid dreams. But bluebells are nice... I like trees better than flowers, though.

I'm glad I'm not the only one.

Trees are harder to plant. What kind of trees do you like best?

Not like... sometimes... Ah, I wasn't expecting you to go plant some! [Link grins a little, scratching the back of his head.] Flowers are fine. But I used to live in a forest, so trees are nice.

I was thinking of planting something. You lived in a forest? What was it like?

Green. [Deadpans it. He's picking up on sarcasm, Three help us all.] It was this little village in the middle of the forest... sorta like Luceti, but littler. There were trees all over the place, and the village had houses made out of them. There were lots of fairies all over the place... ah, hang on, I can show you!

[Closing his eyes and scrunching his face up in concentration, the occasional word and the field of blank green dissolves into an image of Kokiri Forest.] That was my house... [And he focuses on it, on the drawings at the base, at the little balcony where he and Saria used to sit and talk while she played the ocarina, at the little chart which showed how many spiders he had squished.]

((OOC: Sorry about the slow! My net is half-dead, so replies will be slow for another day or two.))

I didn't know you could do that! [Tsuzuki's thought-bubble is filled with smaller bubbles, before he focuses on a memory of his old home. (http://media.photobucket.com/image/matsuei/ShuuheiLover/Anime/yaminomatsuei27.jpg?o=611) It's fussy around the edges, but he's trying.]

Your home was beautiful. Do you ever miss it?

Your home's nice, too! Are those your friends? And it shows what you think, right? [And now Link's thought bubble is showing... Tsuzuki, opposite him, in this conversation.] You just haveta think about what you want it to show. I keep thinking green a lot - if you focus on something like that and don't get stray thoughts, then people can't see. I'm really good at not thinking!

[...Yeah, totally missing what he just implied there.]

I miss it sometimes, but here's nice too...

They're my coworkers. I've known them forever. And I miss them.

They look like nice people...

[People just kept on staring at his ears...] Nope, I'm a Hylian. Most people in Hyrule are Hylian and have ears like mine... Sheik's a Sheikah, and he has them too. ...There. [Now, the image briefly shows Sheik and his ears, although they're usually at least partially covered by his hair.]

They are kind.

They suit you. How many races were there in your world? --I didn't know Sheik had them, too.

[Hmm, not really commenting on the thought, there. That sounds private.]

[As he talks, images of the people and races he mentions pop into his thought bubble briefly.] There's... seven, I think! Not including monsters. Hylians are the main ones, like me and Princess Zelda and Malon and a lot of others. The Sheikah are... there's not many left, I think. But they mostly look like Hylians, except they have darker skin and red eyes. I've only ever met two - Sheik, and Impa. She's Princess Zelda's nanny... guardian person. Then there's Kokiri - they look like kids. I was sorta... raised as a Kokiri... I didn't know I was a Hylian until I grew up.

[Pausing for a breath. Gaaasp...] Then there's the Gerudo, and they live in the desert. They're nearly all women - [Intrusive image of Ganondorf firing a magical attack at a child Link before he winces and it clears away] and have round ears, like humans. Gorons look like big rocks, and they live up in the mountains, and the Zora are blue and live in the water. And then there's fairies - I had a fairy guardian back in Hyrule. [He looks briefly pensive.] I sorta miss her.

[Whew. That's a lot of talking.]

[Here, have a gale a giggles Tsuzuki!]

[He turns, he sees! And he's a dork, so he thinks giggling is a good thing.]

Sorry! I'm Selphie.

I'm Tsuzuki. Nice to meet you, Selphie, have you been in Luceti long?

Not too long. Maybe about 3 weeks now but my friends said that I was here beforehand so I can't really say.

Question! Have you ever burnt water?

So was I, apparently. I can't remember this place, though. Do you have a lot of friends here?

Water? [Thiiiinks.] Have you?

Edited 2010-04-27 03:06 (UTC)

Really? You're the second person I've met who's said that. I'm gonna make lots of friends!

Once? Maybe twice.

I didn't know. Maybe you have a friendly aura?

How about we practice cooking together? I'm sure team-work might make all the difference.

Hmmm... sounds like a fun idea to me!

[ooc: I wanna see what they'd blow up first!]

Maybe we should stick to your kitchen for a while? Looks like I won't get to use mine until it's fixed. I don't know where you live, though.

[ooc: I foresee a Luceti betting pool.]

Oh, that's easy! Community Housing #3, third floor, room fourteen!

[ooc: I fear for the kitchens of Luceti. XD]

[He blinks, then ] You live with Usagi, or is the Community House a bigger building with the same number?

[ooc: I just hope they won't try to make people eat the results. ...Tsuzuki might.]

Usagi? I don't know anyone with that name.

[ooc: hahahaha, I'm sure Selphie could rope up some guinea pigs. 8D]

My mistake, I must've mixed something up.

[ooc: Just don't choose anyone from 549, because I think they know how terrible Tsuzuki's food is already.

Oh! It happens! We all do it.

[ooc: she'd hit up her friends first. XD]

I'm still not used to getting around Luceti. Yesterday I got lost on my way to the bakery.

Hey, I have an idea. How about we make a list over things we both want to cook?

(ooc: I wrote 549, but obviously I meant 49. :P Let's go for her friends, then. XD)

You too? Man, I thought I was the only one!

Ooooooh! I like that idea!

Flowers? Well, I don't really have a preference.

Ah, it's alright. We'll just get a new one. That one was brand-new though...

You're not allergic to anything in particular?

Sure! We can go into town and get one. People might still be thinking out loud, though.

Not that I can think of.

Well, whatever they're thinking of can't be as bad as what Duo thinks of at times.

I was thinking of using symbolic flowers for you, if that was all right.

Are you sure you want to tempt fate that way?

Symbolic flowers?

[laughs] It's not that dangerous. They're just thought bubbles! Eh? You haven't met him yet?

You know, flowers that symbolize good fortune or happiness.

Thoughts can be dangerous. ...No, I haven't.

... [and no, you did not just cause him to blush and his heart to skip a beat there] Ah... I... thank you, Tsuzuki. That would be very nice. (and tries his very very best to fill his thoughts with musical notes)

But they'll be stuck in these thought bubbles and we'll be able to tell way in advance if someone means harm. We'll have to fix that!

[Aww, Hijiri is so cute. Tsuzuki ruffles his hair.]I think I know what I should plant. Do you want to know?

I didn't think about that, but it is an excellent warning system. Good! I'm looking forward to it.

[Lets him ruffle] I do. [chuckles a bit] I guess Hisoka isn't too fond of the idea.

It might actually be less dangerous than usual. We could go visit him at Azzip.

[Yes, yes they should. Duo hasn't had much of a chance to talk to Tsuzuki. Between running here and there, he's barely even glimpsed the guy.]

[And their first conversation will be when Tsuzuki can't hide his thoughts. Win.]

[And off we go to the shops then?]

[Walking!]

How many days a week does he work?

Hmm... well, I guess every day? It's his own restaurant so he can take days off whenever he likes.

So do you want to look for him or get those flowers first?

So lucky~

How about we meet him first? Then afterwards it'll be easier to find flowers to suit him.

Alright! It's this way! [and leads the way] You're getting flowers for Duo as well?

I was thinking about it. Maybe something that compliments the flowers I pick for you, Hijiri.

[Follows! And watches the scenery.] This place could have been wonderful.

Yes, he might get jealous~ That sounds good.

Well, it is in between experiments. [and arrives at Azzip] Duo? You here?

[Duo's head pops out from the window to the kitchen of Azzip. He really shouldn't lean over the counter like that. He always gets flour all over himself.] Hijiri! Oh. And it's you.

Why's Hijiri out with that guy? Guess they're off doin' buddy things. Maybe Hijiri just wanted ta show off Azzip. Yeah. This place is great. That's gotta be it. He wanted ta show Tsuzuki the stage I built him. [Duo's only saving grace during this experiment is how fast his thoughts go. It's hard to read and catch everything.]

Hi! Duo, right? [Tsuzuki guessed, because he seemed to be familiar with Hijiri.] I'm Tsuzuki.

Yes, a stage. Duo built one for me to perform on right here at Azzip.

Yeah, I'm Duo. Who else would I be? And I know who ya are. Good ta actually talk to ya instead a just seein' you around the house.

Hijiri needed a place ta perform and a place ta gather more adorin' fans so I built him the sage. Not ta mention it made him happy. Gotta make him happy. You guys want some pizza? Whatcha want? You guys can sit somewhere and Hijiri can come on back here ta get some drinks if ya don't wanna wait.

I meant to introduce myself earlier. Sorry, Duo.

Really? Hijiri, you still play for your fans? That's great!

Pizza would be wonderful. I haven't eaten today.

How many..? Well, there's me, you, Duo, Hisoka, Sheik, Link and Ryuhou for now.

[laughs] I don't really have any fans here.

What do you want to drink then, Tsuzuki? I'll go get them.

Yeah, we have a pretty full house. Good not ta waste space at least. Better ta have lots a people around. Then I don't have to be alone.

You have fans. Maybe not like ya had in your world, but ya have fans. I know Sheik likes playin' with you and people enjoyed hearin' you play.

What kinda pizza you guys want? I can make lots a kinds.

I agree. It helps that it's filled with good people.

Can we convince Sheik to play with you some time? I haven't heard you play with others yet. Uhm, can I have water, Hijiri? Wait, what am I saying, I can come with you and get it.

I eat anything. So it's up to you two. Anything in particular you like?

[little blush at Tsuzuki's words then he teases] Duo's just afraid of sleeping alone~

Sure. Sheik plays with me all the time. Mn. Let's go get some water then.

What do you have in the oven right now? We'll eat that.

Of course we look good together. It's 'cause he's mine. I'm not afraid of sleepin' alone! But it does help if ya keep me outta bed 'cause I can just go sleep with someone else.

Sheik should get out ta play more often. 'specially now that he can't talk. He needs ta get out way more. Drag him out if ya have to, but he should be out more.

Ummmm... gotta supreme and a ham with hot sauce. Kinda weird, but people like it.

What happened to Sheik, since he's quiet? Was he attacked?

I've never had that combo before! Hijiri, let's take that one.

[blushes a bit] (Can you not be so possessive all the time? Though... I guess I do like that....) Yes, you are afraid of sleeping alone~

... he died here. He lost his voice as his death penalty. Both of them need to get out more often!

Sure! We'll have one of that then.

Edited 2010-05-08 06:33 (UTC)

I'm possessive 'cause I don't wanna lose you. Not like the others. Don't wanna be alone. [For the first time, Duo is really starting to hate the thought bubbles. They were all fun before, but he was being careful not to think about sad things.] Am not! I don't like it. 's not the same as being scared.

The Malnosso always take somethin'. They'll bring ya back, but they gotta price. Hisoka just has a stick up his ass.

One ham and hot sauce then. Go head and get drinks and a table. I'll have it up in a few minutes. And I'll show off when I toss the dough.

[Tsuzuki focuses his eyes on their faces instead of their thought bubbles. Otherwise he'd feel like he invaded their privacy.]

So his voice is lost forever?

Okay! Where's the best place to sit?

Edited 2010-05-10 17:57 (UTC)

... Duo... [and pulls Duo into a hug] Stop worrying so much, okay?

I think so. Though I've also heard how some people have managed to reverse their death penalties... I'm not too certain of the details though. (And Hisoka's going to shove a stick up your ass if he ever hears that, Duo.)

Do you want to sit near the kitchen to watch Duo show off~?

I'll worry if I wanna... [He sounds like a sullen child and his thoughts match. He holds tightly onto Hijiri while giving Tsusuki the "mine" eye where Hijiri can't see.]

You sell your sold to the devil and ya get somethin' in return. The jerk, John I think, was offerin' ta give people stuff back. Hopefully he uses a "stick" then.

[Duo's already putting on a show, tossing the dough over his head to spin it out. He's getting ready to do some moves he's been practicing when he thinks no one is watching.]

[Tsuzuki notices the look, but he only finds it amusing. Unfortunately for everyone, he can be a little oblivious. ...He finds Duo and Hijiri adorable.]

Who's John?

[Congrats, Duo, you've just managed to make a very chatty guy stop talking because he wants to watch the pizza-making.]

Duo... stop being ridiculous...

Here's one of Malnosso who seems to be helping us... he communicates with us on the journals sometimes, but... no one's really sure whose side he's really one.

Am not~ [Duo lets him go though.]

He's one a those unknowns that makes ya wonder how far ta trust the guy. I wouldn't trust him at all, but if he can do somethin' useful for ya, if it's worth the chance of possibly gettin' stabbed in the back, he's worth trusting.

[Duo should be making him speechless. He's really trying to show off, throwing the dough around like he's been doing it all his life instead of just practicing when he has nothing else to do at work.]

You so are... [pooouts]

[Hijiri is just going to shake his head at Duo showing off and go set the table and get the drinks.

[And Tsuzuki is actually impressed with how Duo is working on the dough. He's easily distracted like that. But he soon remembers he's supposed to help Hijiri get drinks, so he gets napkins. Just to be on the safe side.]

Are there a lot of untrustworthy individuals here?

Am not. Childish? Who said I'm childish? I like playing these games.

[Now that he doesn't have an audience, Duo lets the dough fall into the pan so he can cover it with sauce, cheese, toppings. He replaces the one in the oven with it and takes the already cooked pizza to Hijiri and Tsuzuki instead of the table that already ordered it.] The other table can just wait. Boyfriends get special treatment. Besides, if they're distracted by food, he won't be able to touch Hijiri or something. Maybe.

Depends on the kinda people you'd wanna distrust. Lotta people around here are nice. Some are jerks, but ya know they're jerks and they're fun ta pick on. Other people... [He shrugs.] We're murders and terrorists and other nasty sorts.

Are too~ [sticks his tongue out at Duo then gets distracted by Tsuzuki's though bubble] Only his what, Tsuzuki?

Yeah, there are quite a number of psychos here who like to cause trouble when they're bored.

Edited 2010-05-24 13:11 (UTC)

His? I didn't say anything about his anything, Hijiri.

I didn't know. Anyone in particular I should prevent from entering our house?

Edited 2010-05-26 01:46 (UTC)

It rhymes with mocha! I'm more clever than he is!

[Duo slices up the pizza quickly with a nearby knife and walks it to their table.] Here, pizza for you guys. Enjoy it and it's strange combination. It really isn't bad.

Yeah, don't let in anyone who ya haven't cleared with me first? Naw, just don't let in anyone ya don't really know or who you haven't talked to about with at least one of us.

Mn~? What about Hisoka?

What's in it?

That's about it. And keep an eye on the journals for the latest list of known baddies, I guess.

Did I say that out loud?

[Thankfully, now there's pizza! So Tsuzuki can finally shut his mouth and excuse himself because of food. Or so he thinks, loudly. He swallows his bite, and has to stop before he takes another.] It's very good, Duo.

.....List of baddies? That's practical. Can you add names to it?

It's the ham and hot sauce one. You guys said you wanted it. Hopefully ya like it. Like I said, it's weird, but it's good. I wouldn't feed Hijiri anything that wasn't good.

If you're sure they're bad guys, yeah. Like if someone kills you or if someone's from your world and you wanna write the guy down, I'm sure people would appreciate the heads up.

[points above Tsuzuki's head] Sooo~ What about Hisoka~?

[tries some of the pizza and chews it thoughtfully...]

Yeah, people keep adding to the list.

[Tsuzuki's line of vision follows Hiriji's finger, and he has a small 'd'oh' moment. He would have liked to keep that more or less to himself for at least a few more months.] Hmmm. It's complicated. How did you and Duo meet?

I have to find out where they keep that.

[Duo quickly squishes a thought of Hijiri in the kitchen of Azzip by thinking about the pizza.] Hijiri and I met here. We played a game where we flirted until he won and I got the prize.

So Muraki's a bad guy? What'd he do?

I see... well, good luck with that. I've been trying to get him to open up since he came here and have made almost no progress at all. [sighs] Mn. That's pretty much it. Though Duo only got the prize because I let him~

Yeah, who's Muraki?

That's Hisoka for you.

[Tsuzuki stops eating, and pushes himself away from the table. The conversation is that serious to him.] He's a mass murderer. It's important that you stay away from him. Both of you. Do you understand?

I still say we remove the stick up his ass with force. Ya know, annoy it outta him. [Duo's thoughts are little pictures of Hisoka's face, very annoyed and progressing to him yelling at Duo until his head... kinda explodes. Duo giggles to himself.]

Yeah, but I think Hijiri here got a pretty good prize himself~

You say that like it's somethin' new. Wonder if I'd count as one. Naw, think circumstances make a difference. Well maybe... [Duo looks pretty confused. He's spent his time killing and being on L2 introduced him to plenty of people who really would be considered mass murderers. He doesn't want Hijiri anywhere near the guy, but Duo's not scared for himself.]

You shouldn't give up yet, Tsuzuki! If there's anyone who can make Hisoka open up more, it's you! [laughs at Duo's thoughts then tries to act stern] Duo... no blowing up Hisoka's head, you know how hard it is to clean brains from the walls and furniture~

Oh, someone thinks he's a pretty good prize then~?

I'll stay away from him if I see him. Shouldn't be too hard to spot his silver hair. You've had to fight him before, Tsuzuki?

Maybe. He might say I should close up more instead, though. [Tsuzuki grins because of Duo's mental image, almost despite himself. He knows one thing he'll miss from this event.]

Yes, I have. He's... If he comes here, don't listen to anything he says.

[Tsuzuki takes another piece of pizza, since it was delicious.] What did you mean, Duo?

[Duo just starts laughing.] Yeah! Loosen him up! You can have some of our lube! [Duo's going to start crying if he laughs any harder and someone should put a black censor over his thoughts.]

I think I'm a great prize~

[Duo looks very seriously at Hijiri.] You'd better stay away from anyone dangerous. Any kind of dangerous.

[Duo turns his attention back to Tsuzuki.] What do ya mean, what do I mean? 'bout mass murders not bein' anything new? They're really not. I mean, the guy could be really sick, mutilate people or something and I don't want the kids or anyone near him, but they're nothin' new, nothing special.

[Hijiri flushes brightly at Duo's mention of lube] D-Duo!!

Sure you are~

[sighs a bit, will you two stop being so overprotective] I will.

[Tsuzuki coughs, startled by how straightforward the teasing is.]

I'm glad the two of you found one another. [Stopping being overprotective? Never! It'd be a quiet and sad house without Hijiri.] Take good care of him, will you, Duo?

[He sighs, looking at the restaurant. He hadn't considered making a home in Luceti, but it looks like these two have managed well. He turns to Duo again.] I think you misunderstood. [Tsuzuki looks down at his hands, then tries to pretend he didn't.]

[Duo's laughing even harder now, thinking about how Hisoka would react if Duo walked in on him and Tsuzuki and offered the big guy a bottle of lube. Duo's going to cry if he laughs any harder. That or fall over.]

'course I'll take good cara him! It's my job! [There's a lot more to it than that and Duo's not going to explain it, but if Tsuzuki can read really quickly, he might catch some things about tamed Shinigami, souls, a maid, and killing anyone who would think about hurting Hijiri.]

Hey, man. [Does Duo sound a little concerned about Tsuzuki? Naw, must just be the imagination. He wouldn't be concerned about his rival.] You alright? I don't know what's really goin' on with you and this guy, but I'm startin' ta guess. I was just sayin' that was a ya ta make a mass murderer sick.

[He's a push on your chair to help you on your way down, Duo! Hopefully that'll shut you up.]

Please don't encourage his paranoia, Tsuzuki! If he tries to protect me any more than he does now, I'll be stuck indoors forever!

[and just watching... Duo is actually trying to comfort Tsuzuki?]

[Tsuzuki's simply watching them. They act like such an old married couple. He's even willing to ignore the lube-joke because of their cuteness.]
We just want you to avoid the worst of the lot! Right, Duo?

[Comfort is comfort is comfort. Tsuzuki accepts it willingly.] Sure. Why wouldn't I be fine? [He smiles, briefly.] I just don't want to see him here.

[Tsuzuki leans back in his chair, trying to find a way to sit comfortably with the wings in the way.] You said you don't know much about him? I could tell you some of it, if you were interested. ...And done eating.

AH! [Duo will just have to laugh on the floor now]

It's not paranoia if people are really tryin' to kill ya. I don't wanna keep Hijiri away from the worst. I wanna keep him away from anyone who's gunna hurt him in any way. I'd tie 'im to the bed and be done with it if I thought I could.

[Duo's not trying to comfort him at all. How could someone think something like that?]

Nothin's gunna ruin my appetite, but I don't want Hijiri hearin' the details.

... [frowns a bit at the laughing Duo on the floor and ignores him]

That's just your excuse to tie me to the bed..

I can handle the details.

[Tsuzuki's fond of the laughing, though.] Duo reminds me of someone. [He offers him a hand, in case he want to get up.]

Er.

If you're sure. He's not, say, someone who is famous for starting wars. He... his murders are often personal. He took care of a girl for several years, gave her a heart transplant, and then drugged her until her mind split. ... And then killed her whole family and then her. She was a friend of Hisoka.

[Duo slowly stops laughing and waves away Tsuzuki's hand. He's not being rude, really. It's just hard to pull someone up from the ground when you're still in a chair. He'll take his seat again and grin at Hijiri.] Ow, my sides hurt. And my ass.

I don't need an excuse. Tsuzuki thinks of sheep after thinking about sex? Ew.

Sounds like a sick fuck. Don't say anymore with Hijiri around. Don't want him havin' nightmares. Don't think about him anymore either. That guy really needs ta go on the list, but now we're talkin' about somethin' else. Like pizza. I like pizza. All kinds. Doesn't matter what ya put on it, except heads it's still great.

He does? Who?

'course you do... What's this about sheep?

... that... that's just... wait, Hisoka actually had a friend? A... girl... friend?

[Tsuzuki moves back again, not bothered by Duo's unwillingness to take his hand. He's used to dealing with Hisoka's avoidance, after all.] I don't know. I'm trying to put my finger on it. ...Can he hold his alcohol?

They're fluffy and looks like marshmallows. I use to think about them when I try to keep my mind off of things.

G- girlfriend? I don't kno-- Isn't that a very loaded word?

Edited 2010-06-16 16:31 (UTC)

[Duo tries really hard to stop laughing long enough to answer the question himself, but the thought of alcohol sends him off some more with thoughts of Hisoka drunk. Now that's really funny.] And he might accept the lube!

Hmmm guess that works if you don't want people seein' your thoughts.

Yeah, he'd have ta actually have someone like him for him ta have a girl friend. And I don't think that guy really even makes friends. Makes it more fun ta annoy him that way. He's popular with me and he's all mine and the girls can't have him.

Mnn... I guess Duo can hold his alcohol. Why?

I see.

I just can't really imagine Hijiri letting someone get close enough to him to be his girlfriend...

I don't think Hisoka would ever be drunk enough to accept lube.

That's it! I remember now. His sense of humor is like Watari's. Remember the guy who tore off my...er. Jacket after your demon bit me?

Maybe, maybe not. I didn't ask that much, since it wasn't my business.

We can still try! Hisoka might kill him if he tries, but it would still be funny.

[Oh, Duo wants to know more about this guy he's supposed to be like, but he's going to keep quiet for the moment. If Tsuzuki and Hijiri start talking about the guy together, he'll probably pick up more details than he would otherwise.]

Guy shoulda gotten laid if he did have a girlfriend. He'd be a lot less uptight.

Duo...

Eh? Watari? Really? I remember him, the scientist guy, right? Mnn... [thinks of Watari as he looks at Duo] I don't really see it. [~~Their voices might sound very similar~?~~]

... her death must have really affected him...

That's the guy I was talking about. I don't think he showed it when you visited, but he's the office prankster. [They do. Goldstar for noticing. XD]

...Yeah, it did.

[Okay, Duo's really trying to stop laughing now.]

~~[They're voices might sound similar if both Hijiri and Tsuzuki keep hearing him in Japanese. Anyone hearing English wouldn't understand what they're talking about.]~~ I think I like this guy. Sounds like the better kind of scientist. If he ever shows up here, think he'll share a few of this... experiments with someone? I could have a lotta fun with that sorta stuff.

[Okay, now Duo feels like an ass.]

He is? Well, he and Duo would get along just fine then I guess.

[~~We noticed it a while back~ And Hijiri's seiyuu sings the Gundam Wing themes~! True. But I hope that doesn't mean Duo hears Hijiri in his dreadful English dub voice... (>_<)~~]

He was here for a short while actually... when I first got here.

They would.

~~[That is completely awesome. And gah, the English Matsuei voices! Don't get me started.]~~ Duo, he would have loved to show you anything, I'm pretty sure.

[He notices that Duo's mood changes, so he tries to change the subject too.] Really? Maybe we should check out his old residence. Watari might have left something for us.

~~[We can just say Duo hears the tone, but not the terrible acting... and When Watari talks, all I can think about is James from Pokemon crossdressing.]~~ Excellent. We gotta get that guy back then. Now there are some experiments I wouldn't mind bein' parta. Just hate the other kinds they like don' around here. Well some of them. Some aren't so bad. This ain't so bad. Even if people can see me thinkin' about Hijiri naked.

Doubt it. People's stuff usually disappears when they're gone for good. 's like the bots come in and clean up after 'em. And Hijiri's been here a long time. Bet someone else lives there. Where'd the guy live? We can still search the place.

[~~That might work. ... mn... Watari might actually crossdress...~~ And going to poke Duo at that last thought!] Duo! Think of something else!

Well... he actually lived where we're living now.

Edited 2010-08-09 11:53 (UTC)

~~[That WOULD make watching it bearable. :D]~~

I agree, Watari was fun. He was also a mechanical genius. [Tsuzuki's still wide-eyed after Duo's last thought.]

Really? How strange that we all felt compelled to live there afterward he left, then. But knowing Watari, he probably hid things in the walls.

[~~That would be fun to watch. It would make the show way better.~~

Shit, shit, shit. Deathscythe. Think of his specs. Run a diagnostic in your head. Don't think of Hijiri naked anymore.

Well, more like we moved in 'cause Rikku and Sheik couldn't take cara themselves and they had a lotta room and we had ta take Ryuhou with us and well, not we're all together. So taking the walls apart now.

[Hijiri frowns, you're still thinking of that, Duo!]

Duo!

Hid things in the walls?

Watari's magic skills included creating objects. Well, drawing them on paper and pulling them out of the paper. So I wouldn't be surprised if he drew doors on the walls. I mean, that's what I'd do if I could.

Edited 2010-08-12 06:10 (UTC)

[Okay, that image helps Duo a little. He's been through that with Hijiri yanking on his hair like a leash when Duo's bad. He tries to focus on that more than the other reasons Hijiri might pull his hair.]

[Duo laughs.] I can see the guy drawin' on the walls with crayons now. Great vision. Anyway, good way ta get stuff in there. Wouldn't have ta fix the wall after the fact. Just gotta find crayon marks now.

[You'd better not start thinking of the other reasons, Duo Maxwell!]

I see. I didn't know that. I though he just worked with computers.

Exactly, Duo. He used crayons like that. The only thing he didn't use them for was to make money.

He worked with computers, he drew, he invented and ah... He was our current doctor. [Tsuzuki fiddles with his tie, hoping his thoughts wouldn't betray him again.]

Don't encourage me! Ah! I don't wanna sleep on the couch. [Duo's trying to think really hard about how it feels to be going one direction and have Hijiri grab it to make him stop instead of... well... stuff...]

Well, not a lotta fun if you just draw the stuff. Gotta be more creative. I like this guy. Minus the doctor part, but the pranks make up for that.

[and watching you, Duo...]

Ah~ I do remember the doctor part... [and how he stripped you in front of everyone, Tsuzuki...]

I didn't know we had a couch. [Oblivious Tsuzuki is oblivious.]

What kind of creative things would you do if you had magic markers? [Tsuzuki's eyes widen as he was caught of guard.]

[Duo points at the couch against the wall near the stage.] Couch. Yeah, think 'bout that and not other things.

Well I'd probably draw- No, I don't want him to know about Deathscythe. Say something else. Don't wanna think 'bout him naked either. shit people want, then I'd sell it to 'em. Oh, or draw some sweet new video games, or a laptop I can use, or Hijiri naked, or a bunch of food, or more fireworks. Stuff like that.

... [frowns more. Do not even think about the things that have happened on that particular couch, Duo.]

[This just keeps getting better and better, doesn't it?] Duo. Go get me more soda.

Oh, I thought you meant one at the house.

You finished your drink? I can help go fetch it!

[That couch, the counters, the front counter, the stage, that table over there, the table in the kitchen. They've been busy.] Don't think about the couch, or anything else. Think about something else. Space is cold. Really cold. Naw, talkin' about this one.

Naw, don't bother. I'll go get it. And more pizza. I'm sure I got somethin' in the back we can finish off. If not, I'll make another one. [Duo gets up, grabs the empty pizza tray, and heads to the back where he can think about Hijiri naked all he wants. The boy takes orders from Hijiri so easily, doesn't he?]

It's find, Tsuzuki. Duo's got it covered.

If you're sure. [Tsuzuki follows Duo with his eyes, until he's gone into the kitchen. Something is sketchy about the way Hijiri sent him out, so he turns to the teenager to hear why he did it.]

(ooc: Yay html fail!)

[There's clanking and thumping from the kitchen along with a shout for Dieb to stay out of his supplies for dessert pizza and she'd better start eating more of the mice out back if she knows what's good for her.]

[he's just going to calmly drink the last bit of soda in his glass then look at Tsuzuki] What? [he just wanted some peace]

Sorry we ended up talking about you naked.

[There's some more noise and grumbling about overgrown rats who think they can make themselves at home in his kitchen just because he welcomes her inside and they're friends. Duo's making another pizza for them really quick between getting more soda for everyone.]

It's fine. Just stop encouraging Duo.

... Duo! What are you doing in there?

What do you suggest we talk about, then? You know how to best avoid the topics he teases you about.

Edited 2010-08-28 21:19 (UTC)

[Duo's head pops out from the hole/window he put into the wall.] Makin' another pizza. Did you want somethin' different to drink or more soda?

[Draco's just going to stare at the journal and reread/listen to everything Tsuzuki's saying and thinking. He's very well aware who he is, and he knows Hisoka didn't want him to talk to him...but Hisoka can bugger off, he has to investigate this.]

What kind of idiot breaks a frying pan of all things?

[Oh, this will be fun, won't it.]

This kind of idiot, apparently. But I'll replace it!

[Indeed. Poor Tsuzuki.]

I should hope so since it's clearly your fault in the first place, somehow.

(This is my competition?)

[It had to happen.]

I blame the duct-tape. It clearly had it in for the pan.

Duct-tape? [Draco's thoughts have since drifted away from the competition thoughts and now he's just...busy picturing an actual duck being Spello-taped to a frying pan.]

[That's... an amazing visual.]

I know it's not common practice to use, but I thought it was fire-proof!

[Hey man, when you're a wizard you don't know about useless Muggle things.]

If you don't know what you're doing, you shouldn't bother trying.

[Oh Draco, how these two will talk way over each other heads at times.]

How are you supposed to learn, if you don't practice?

[He's getting used to that.] You make someone else learn and then you learn from their failures so you get it right the first time.

(He really is optimistic. How the bloody hell does something like that even work out?)

But that wouldn't work. What if the person learned all the spells and turned on you before you could learn the same through him? He'd have more experience.

Learning a spell doesn't necessarily mean a person is powerful enough to use it against someone much stronger than they are. Besides, if you're watching the person learn, you're already further ahead in the defense department. Watching people's failures isn't horrible.

It is, if you could've helped them instead.

That defeats the whole purpose though.

What would the purpose be of being powerful and make weaker people do dangerous things in your place, though?

It keeps you from dying, or worse. (Honestly, it really is like dealing with a child. I don't know how Hisoka handles this. Why do I bother?)

Is that an imminent danger where you're from?

[It's about then that Draco clues in that first of all, this conversation's heading in a not-good-for-Draco direction and secondly that somehow even with his Occlumency and everything, Tsuzuki can read some of his thoughts, apparently. What was this, a higher level of an empath?

...granted, that doesn't explain why he can read Tsuzuki's thoughts. Aw well, best to cut him off now.]

So you already have a good idea who I am, do you? (Hisoka, I may very well have to punch you for this.)

[It's not easy to be Draco, and it will not get easier. Tsuzuki will continue to be confused and concerned that The New Guy doesn't like him, of course. :D]

I wouldn't go that far, I just know a little. My name is Tsuzuki, by the way.

Edited 2010-04-27 08:06 (UTC)

[Poor Draco and his not-so-really-but-to-him-it-is-tragic-life. Just because he sees Tsuzuki as "the challenger" now, Draco probably won't make this easy for him at all.]

(Like hell it's not his fault.) I know who you are. What exactly do you know?

[Draco is a teenager in wartime. Of course he thinks his life is tragic. Dun dun DUN, I like that. Tsuzuki might not. >:D]

Why, was it a secret? [Here, have a wide-eyed, confused look.]

[This is true! Tsuzuki will learn to love it though, really! No? Okay, maybe not~]

Depends on what you know. Also, you seem to be mistaken already anyway.

[Tsuzuki probably will, that masochist. ]

I'm wrong? About what?

Hisoka and I aren't friends.

What are you, then?

Acquaintances. I benefit from him, he benefits from me, it evens out. (Other than somehow it turned into something different than a working relationship.)

Then why were you angry when you thought Hisoka had told me about you?

He hasn't known me long enough to have say in telling people things about me. (It doesn't help he knows way too much.)

You have a lot of secrets, huh?

I never said that. (He's the one who touched my wand. I didn't ask him to pick up on everything.)

You're acting like it's true.

I'm not acting like anything. Shut up. (You heard me.)

What do you use a wand for?

(No really, shut up.) What do most people use wands for?

I don't know, that's why I asked.

...magic.

You don't use a wand for magic.

...Wait. You do? How?

That's just the way wizards and witches do it. Real ones, I mean.

Not in Japan. Paper spells are more common.

Are you from the West?

The UK. It's west of Japan, at least.

That explain it. So you don't use paper to channel your power, you use wands. How about summoning?

(Paper magic...right. The twelve summon things.) Summoning what?

Gods? Defenses? How are wands linked to that?

(More than you'd think.) Just standard spells. I have no idea about gods or anything like that, we don't summon those types.

What kind of summoning do you do?

Spells, hexes, curses. Why?

Curiosity.

It's a form of defense, though I wouldn't concern myself with it much if I were you. Curiosity killed the Kneazle.

I can't help it. What do you have to defend yourself against?

Things that don't concern you? (Actually, there's both. And werewolves and such.)

It does concern me. We're stuck here, and if people are gearing up to defend themselves, then I need to know why.

It really doesn't. (No wonder Hisoka's so adamant about doing everything himself.)

How old are you, Draco?

(Gods, the Japanese are stubborn.)

Old enough to take care of myself. I'll be eighteen in June. [At least, according to Luceti's time. He was barely seventeen in his world when he got yanked here, so he's just rounding up.]

For some reason I thought you were older. You're about Hisoka's age, then.

I think I'm older than he is, aren't I?

[Tsuzuki counts on his fingers, quietly.]

Only a little.

It still counts. [It really does. Draco's not exactly fond of being younger than most of his classmates.] What's your point?

I could tell you, but you wouldn't like it.

It's incredibly rude to mention something and then not elaborate when a person asks.

(Besides, it's not as though I've liked much of what you've had to say anyway. And we're not friends.)

Then you better tell me about what you're preparing to defend yourself against, or else you'll be considered as rude as I am.

I'm not defending myself from anything here, so do kindly shut up and keep your nose out of my business.

(...should I be?)

So mean. But I don't think I can do that.

...I'm not sure who you think you are, but I am quite capable of taking care of myself and I don't need someone else who doesn't have a clue to interfere.

(...like you could even if you tried. You're just as bad as he is.)

I don't doubt that. But I'd rather not that Hisoka's, ah, acquaintance gets hurt.

I don't plan on getting hurt, so cross me off your list. [BLATANTLY IGNORING THAT QUESTION. Because well, that's not a fun question.]

No one plans on getting hurt. [SO NOTICES THAT. Poor Draco.]

I know how to take care of myself. That's all, understood?

Mhm. I'm sure you can. But just in case.

No. (If he's going to do anything, he should watch after Hisoka instead.)

Sorry.

No you're not. (Like I give a damn what he wants, he needs it.)

You caught me.

Most people aren't actually sorry. Just something I've learned. (He pretends to hate it, but he probably doesn't. That's just how Hisoka is.)

Sounds like you're familiar with an unpleasant crowd.

Never you mind, Tsuzuki. (I'm not talking about Hisoka like anything.)

That explain a lot about you, actually. Are you upper-class?

...yes, I am. Why?

The way you speak makes it obvious.

...What's a kneazle? I haven't figured it out.

I suppose that's fair enough.

It's a creature from my world...kind of like a cat, just a lot larger.

Fuda # 2 (Dial 1 to deny everything, dial 2 to dig yourself deeper.)

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