Waking the Dead 2.0 || July 5-11, 2063 || The Wait

[kawaakari]

[Beautiful as Seigi is and generous as your hosts have been, it is hard to forget why you're here again.

Zangyaku is carrying on as per usual, as if your presence doesn't mean anything. It isn't a dismissal, though: it's an acknowledgment of the work that you must do, and that they are, by merit of your presence, helping you do it.]


General OOC Notes:
+ This is a catch-all post for any interactions that take place during the in-game period I indicated. Make sure to label your subject lines accordingly!
+ You're all staying at close to the Wolf's Ward, which is the wing devoted to the Blade King and the Wolfborn.
+ You're free to move around until about 7 PM. You have free run of the base.
+ You can, regardless of whether you have a license with Zangyaku or not, join in on minor routine engagements like patrol, or helping out at any of the divisions.
+ There is a free teleport back to Falner. You can go any time, as long as you're back before call time for the vigil with Ginko Takasugi-Vice from 8 PM until 4 AM.

General behavior of significant NPCs in the area:
+ Kasumi is your host, and effectively the officer in command for this leg of the operation.
+ Hikaru is generally NOT around during the day. He only turns up around dinner time to eat with everyone, take a temperature check on his end, and then immerse himself in his own work.
+ NPCs that have been fielded out to watch over David Young and Minato Arisato are available on call.
+ Other NPCs may be available on request. Just ping me?

Comments

[riskythunder]

Too much, Kaz. Too much.

[He sounds much older than his years right now, and he's so grateful for your presence. So grateful it hurts.]

There were just never enough people holding the fort. We kept losing operatives to injury, or to just plain out exhaustion and trauma, and the folks who should have been helping them were too boggled down by everything else to do it properly.

[ktotheatothez]

[He sits quietly for a second, face buried in your hair as he listens. It hurts him to see you like this, but he knew - you both did - that this was going to be a thing you'd deal with at some point. He eventually breaks the silence that settles when you finish]

Nico, when you were assigned to Tian... I was worried. I'm not going to lie and say that I was okay with it every day. Somehow, I had to hope you'd be okay, that nothing would happen to you.

[He thinks about what he wants to say next, because it is a little selfish of him.]

If you'll be at the base, I can at least rest assured that you'll be safe most of the time, and that the base will have a pretty clear line of defense. We're Hunters. We're never always safe at any given time.

[He's nuzzling at your temple, just 'cause he can.]

Go where you think you'll be the most help. That's all I think you should do. You're a great fighter, but Zangyaku's filled with fighters. You've got a mind for organizing, and that'll help out when it comes to getting the base in order.

[Then he remembers what else the Zashiki-Warashi do.]

Besides, I think you make a great surrogate dad.

[riskythunder]

[The tension in his body bleeds out the more he listens to you, and by the time you're finishing up, he's chuckling at your last statement and pressing his lips to your forehead.]

Thanks. [That came out a bit soft, and it's only because it's full of a lot of emotion.] I think I needed to hear that, and... well. Maybe I also want to try and make sure that I'll always be able to come home to you no matter what.

[Because you ARE home to him, above anything and anyone else.]

[ktotheatothez]

I'll always be waiting. [A beat.]So what else you got on your mind? Because I got time before I have to check in with whichever among the Hounds is with Ginko-san.

[It's an open invite for you to talk to your boyfriend, Nico. And you know that this is his tactic when he's got something he wants to ask.]

[riskythunder]

Beyond how hot you are and how nice it is to just kick back and talk to you again? No, not much else.

[He is at your disposal. This is his way of telling you that. :D]

[ktotheatothez]

[You're getting kissed and nuzzled, before he just buries his face in your neck.]

Hey babe? I've always wanted to ask... How'd you... Y'know... Awaken?

[riskythunder]

Oh. Ahaha... it's a pretty funny story, actually.

[Now looking suitably embarrassed.]

You know how you and I always joke around about how clumsy I am?

[ktotheatothez]

Mmhm...

[Yep. He remembers. He trails off, because it's important, really. He's not gonna comment, but you are so cute when you get embarrassed.]

[riskythunder]

Well, the Vucari was mobilized to help this town that had been hit by an earthquake.

[Erm.]

Uh. The floor of a building kind of fell on me.

[ktotheatothez]

Clearly, your head is every bit as hard as I always said it was.

[He says that, but his arms tighten around you.]

Then what happened?

[riskythunder]

I didn't get hurt nearly as much as I should have. [As things stood, it should have killed him.] And then I kind of... punched my way back to the surface. Like it wasn't a big deal at all.

[And it really isn't now, but it should have been at the time. Freaky stuff, these awakenings.]

[ktotheatothez]

Okay.

[He's smiling into your shoulder, the dork. Because while he should be worried that half a building fell on you, the fact is that you're here, and it'd be pointless to keep worrying about an event that's long since passed.]

Just don't do it again. I know it probably wouldn't hurt you, but I don't think I can handle hearing that a building fell on you a second time. Too much like David Young.

[riskythunder]

Hey, it's not like I meant to do that.

[Pouting now. :c]

[ktotheatothez]

[Have kisses peppered on your face, Nicholas.]

I know, Nico, I know. I'm just... I'm glad you're okay, always am.

[If his arms tighten around you, because he really is just glad to have you in his life. It'd do something horrible to him if he lost you.]

[riskythunder]

[Catching that, and immediately planting a kiss on your forehead.]

I'm okay. I'm right here, and I'm going to be more careful next time.

[ktotheatothez]

I know, Nico. I know.

[He returns that kiss. Before his stomach gives an almighty growl, and he pouts because he was really enjoying having you in his arms.]

[riskythunder]

[Letting out a soft laugh, and pulling back.]

C'mon, you. Let's get some food.

[ktotheatothez]

[He grins sheepishly at you before he gets up.]

Time to feed the beast, I guess.

[No kidding, because there's a second growl. He picks up the top of his uniform and snags the Wings and his guns from the bedside table, pulling all of it on with practiced efficiency.]

Gah. I'm totally hoping there's tonkatsudon, I've been craving it since last night.

[riskythunder]

[Aaaand hopping up to get ready too!]

We could ask for some.

[Because now that you've mentioned that, he wants it.]

[ktotheatothez]

[And that's when he remembers that he'd left Josh behind to watch over Ginko that night.]

Um. Hang on... Before we go get food, can I go check up on Josh? He kind of... Let me go when I couldn't stay awake.

[riskythunder]

Oh, sure.

[He doesn't ask if he should come with. Blade things are Blade Things.

I can wait up for you close to the mess hall.

[ktotheatothez]

[Kaz looks at you for a second, then plants a kiss on your lips before he clicks the Wings into place.]

Love you. I'll see you at the mess in a little bit.

[He leaves you looking happy, content. To him, there really isn't anything like spending the night in the arms of someone he loves dearly to charge him back up.

But that charge seems have been sapped and reversed when he storms into the mess hall after a while, typing out what looks like an extremely angry text message before he takes one look at you and deflates, sinking in next to you, so close your legs are touching.]

[riskythunder]

[...Whoa okay.

Blinking at you a bit before tentatively asking:]

What happened?

[ktotheatothez]

Josh has been there all night. Refused to switch with anyone and wouldn't even come to eat. His reliever got turned away.

[Clearly this has gotten under his skin. The last time he was this mad was years ago, as far as you remember.]

[riskythunder]

[Okay: hug time. And with his free hand, he is scooting the ashtray closer, and bringing out his cigarettes. Those he places right within your reach.

No words. This is Nico Raio's cue for "Go ahead and let it rip, boyfriend".]