[ Not a good sign... but not the worst it could be, either. The fact that Sorey stopped at all, even if in confusion, is more than most people would do. Watching him, Yato can't help thinking of someone from a spooky ghost show, trying to commune with the dead by talking at an empty room. Yato would watch those types of shows with a different eye now.
He reaches out to grasp Sorey by the shoulder. Touching people will always get them to see him, he finds. Whether or it will get Sorey to remember remains to be seen. ]
[Sorey startles a bit as someone grabs his arm-- and it's Yato. He knows, logically, that someone touching him and calling his name and saying do you remember me is probably not a stranger. But he can't help the way he blinks a few times, and he almost tells the older man that he's confused Sorey for someone else.
But there's no mistaking that look or the name he used. That nickname was given to him by Mikleo when they were little kids. Something weird is going on here, but if he just thinks about it, it might make more sense.
After all, he's never seen ghosts before this month, either.]
I... I don't, [he says, his expression more than a little guilty.] I'm sorry.
[The light of a knife blade. Laughing blue eyes, an exasperated smile. Passing warm, wrapped food from one pair of hands to another.]
W-wait, I—
[He feels like it's on the tip of his tongue. Tip of his brain? And before he thinks about it, he reaches out to seize Yato by the shoulders. Whether it's to steady himself or to keep the other one from fleeing, it's hard to tell.
His green eyes are wide and focused. To say he's a little weirded out would be an understatement.]
I... can't remember, but I know we've met before. Maybe it'll come back to me in a minute. But you— are you okay? [This can't mean anything good if Sorey is forgetting people he knows. His friends are his family and very important— even ones like Yato, who he only befriended by luck.]
[ When Sorey apologizes, a cold wave passes over Yato. He freezes, absorbing, internalizing, and even if Sorey won't have been the first person to forget, the feeling of loss is still raw and deep. Because even if Sorey would be the same kind soul with or without Yato, knowing that their friendship has evaporated to nothing with Sorey none the wiser only tells Yato that he never really mattered.
Not an entirely fair conclusion, he's dimly aware. But in a world turning its eyes away from him, it's hard not to feel inconsequential.
When Sorey seizes him by the shoulders, Yato startles and refocuses. Sorey is trying hard. Yato can tell that much -- and there's that spark again, a small hope as he urges Sorey to remember.
And then there's that question. But you— are you okay? How very like Sorey to be concerned for someone he can barely remember. To be kind and perceptive enough to see past his own struggle and see the potential struggle in others. For some reason, it renders Yato speechless. He stares back, eyes wide and brow pinched upward, a difficult expression.
And then he whips out his old pocket knife, flicking the blade out horizontally between them. ]
... Knifey! We were all tangled up in yarn, remember?
[ if he has to recreate the great founder's day yarnball fiasco, then by god he will do it ]
[Yato's expression tells Sorey all he needs to know. Yes, they were friends; Sorey is not the only person who has forgotten him; Yato's entire life has possibly turned upside down and he needs help dealing with it. Just like that, Sorey makes the unconscious decision to put the weirdness aside (it's just like the horses, just like that) and focus only on Yato's well-being right now.
So he tries as hard as he can to remember. He doesn't focus on just the way Yato looks, but the cadence of his voice and the feeling of his shirt beneath Sorey's hands. He lets go of Yato's shoulders but keeps his hand on the spirit's arm, afraid that he might disappear if he lets go.
He nonetheless flinches at the sudden pocketknife appearing between them, but recovers quickly; his breathing comes faster now, eyes still wide as he grasps for the strings of something-- something. Anything.]
The yarn! The...
[He remembers being tangled up with Dante, but Yato's figure doesn't quite stand out from his memories. He focuses on it anyway. Yato, a knife, yarn. Dante didn't have a knife, and he remembers a knife, a knife, a knife...
He looks at Yato again.]
You saved up your lunch money for a month!
[... Eidetic memory pulls through with the most useless fact ever.]
[ It's like a switch is flipped. Yato brightens instantly and puts away his knife. ]
So you really can remember! It just takes a bit to get the wheels turning. Good... that's great.
[ So even if they seem to have forgotten him completely, there's a chance Retrospec users can dredge up a memory or two. It's something. A bit of hope to cling to.
[Sorey's happy he remembered, but he's not very happy that he forgot Yato in the first place.]
Oh, Yato... I'm so sorry. I don't know why I couldn't remember you, I--
[He looks like he's about to say more but he's interrupted by the request.]
Ah-- s-sure, here you go. [He hands it over. It's rather plain aside from a couple of cute anime phone charms. He has no password on his lock screen and nothing to hide-- except, perhaps, the photos of him hugging Mikleo in front of various historical locations as his wallpaper.]
What's going on? Why couldn't I see you before?
[He looks at his other hand, and he's afraid to let go of Yato's sleeve. Those ghosts he saw in the woods a few weeks ago sort of flickered in and out of his view. He has the feeling he wasn't able to perceive them for whatever reason, though he could hear them just fine.]
[ ... Of course Sorey's phone would be this pure... Yato starts to tap around on it. Sorey holding onto his sleeve is just fine, because Yato swivels around to get next to Sorey and lifts the phone up for an impromptu selfie of the two of them. Yato raises two fingers into a V and sticks his tongue out. ]
Cheese!
[ And that's all the warning Sorey will get before Yato takes the picture, sets it as Sorey's wallpaper, and then hands it back him. You're welcome. ]
You aren't the only one having problems. I was a god in my hallucinomemories, which meant people couldn't see or remember me too well. In some ways, it's like being a ghost.
[Sorey responds a little too slow to that, so the selfie ends up being Yato grinning and Sorey with a startled expression. He looks at his phone after it's handed back to him. Are people going to think he's dating Yato now, too...?]
A god? No way... [... Yes way, he totally forgot Yato, too.] Then the picture is to make sure I remember you without having to go through this every time.
Does that mean if I let go of you, you'll disappear?
[ If anyone would date a hobo, it would probably be Sorey...
Yato nods to Sorey's assumption that this is to help him remember. There's no telling how well it'll work, but it can't hurt (other than to shove Mikleo to the wayside on Sorey's phone, sorry Mikleo). ]
Eventually. When you stop thinking about me, I guess. I'll still be here, but you won't be able to see me.
[It's true. He's equal opportunity friendship-- why not romance, too?
Worry ripples through his expression, followed by the sad realization that Yato is invisible and forgotten by so many people. No one should have to live alone like that, especially if it isn't by choice. To Sorey, Yato's another twenty-something trying to find his way, a guy with a good heart who's good at soooo many things.
It isn't fair that he should have to live like this, while Sorey practically has no problems at all.]
In that case-- I want you to hold on, okay? As hard as you can. And when one of us lets go, you can always grab me again... on the street, at school, whatever. Just take my hand. I promise I won't turn you away, even if I don't recognize you at first.
[He is strangely serious about this oath. It's in his gaze, green and unwavering.]
[ I can't believe Yato would be getting a memory of his canon crush right now if he didn't have it already ]
... Right.
[ Getting a little intense there, Sorey. Not that Yato doesn't appreciate it. He can tell that Sorey understands, at least a little, and that's enough. Yato will never voice it -- there's no point in voicing it -- but this change is so sudden and all-encompassing that he feels like he's being swallowed whole.
Having permission to hold Sorey's hand anytime, anywhere, though, is a little...???
But Yato will manage to hold his gaze. Sorey's eyes really are very green. even if not for much longer ]
Thanks, Sorey.
[ And he dips his head, just a little, in gratitude. He isn't sure what to say beyond that. ]
[LMAO TOTALLY BY ACCIDENT TOO... Sorey's just that homo touchy, though. He doesn't have a problem with friends initiating contact at all, and he doesn't hesitate to do so to others when he's comfortable with them (unless, of course, they don't like it).
His expression softens and his smile returns like the sun peeking from behind a cloud.]
All right. Now that we've gotten that out of the way, can I treat you to something? I got paid this weekend and I just turned 21, so we could even have a drink somewhere!
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no subject
He reaches out to grasp Sorey by the shoulder. Touching people will always get them to see him, he finds. Whether or it will get Sorey to remember remains to be seen. ]
Sorey. It's Yato. Do you remember me?
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But there's no mistaking that look or the name he used. That nickname was given to him by Mikleo when they were little kids. Something weird is going on here, but if he just thinks about it, it might make more sense.
After all, he's never seen ghosts before this month, either.]
I... I don't, [he says, his expression more than a little guilty.] I'm sorry.
[The light of a knife blade. Laughing blue eyes, an exasperated smile. Passing warm, wrapped food from one pair of hands to another.]
W-wait, I—
[He feels like it's on the tip of his tongue. Tip of his brain? And before he thinks about it, he reaches out to seize Yato by the shoulders. Whether it's to steady himself or to keep the other one from fleeing, it's hard to tell.
His green eyes are wide and focused. To say he's a little weirded out would be an understatement.]
I... can't remember, but I know we've met before. Maybe it'll come back to me in a minute. But you— are you okay? [This can't mean anything good if Sorey is forgetting people he knows. His friends are his family and very important— even ones like Yato, who he only befriended by luck.]
no subject
Not an entirely fair conclusion, he's dimly aware. But in a world turning its eyes away from him, it's hard not to feel inconsequential.
When Sorey seizes him by the shoulders, Yato startles and refocuses. Sorey is trying hard. Yato can tell that much -- and there's that spark again, a small hope as he urges Sorey to remember.
And then there's that question. But you— are you okay? How very like Sorey to be concerned for someone he can barely remember. To be kind and perceptive enough to see past his own struggle and see the potential struggle in others. For some reason, it renders Yato speechless. He stares back, eyes wide and brow pinched upward, a difficult expression.
And then he whips out his old pocket knife, flicking the blade out horizontally between them. ]
... Knifey! We were all tangled up in yarn, remember?
[ if he has to recreate the great founder's day yarnball fiasco, then by god he will do it ]
no subject
So he tries as hard as he can to remember. He doesn't focus on just the way Yato looks, but the cadence of his voice and the feeling of his shirt beneath Sorey's hands. He lets go of Yato's shoulders but keeps his hand on the spirit's arm, afraid that he might disappear if he lets go.
He nonetheless flinches at the sudden pocketknife appearing between them, but recovers quickly; his breathing comes faster now, eyes still wide as he grasps for the strings of something-- something. Anything.]
The yarn! The...
[He remembers being tangled up with Dante, but Yato's figure doesn't quite stand out from his memories. He focuses on it anyway. Yato, a knife, yarn. Dante didn't have a knife, and he remembers a knife, a knife, a knife...
He looks at Yato again.]
You saved up your lunch money for a month!
[... Eidetic memory pulls through with the most useless fact ever.]
bleeds... sorry for the lateness
[ It's like a switch is flipped. Yato brightens instantly and puts away his knife. ]
So you really can remember! It just takes a bit to get the wheels turning. Good... that's great.
[ So even if they seem to have forgotten him completely, there's a chance Retrospec users can dredge up a memory or two. It's something. A bit of hope to cling to.
A thought occurs to him. He puts a hand out. ]
Can I see your phone for a moment?
you're fine ♥
Oh, Yato... I'm so sorry. I don't know why I couldn't remember you, I--
[He looks like he's about to say more but he's interrupted by the request.]
Ah-- s-sure, here you go. [He hands it over. It's rather plain aside from a couple of cute anime phone charms. He has no password on his lock screen and nothing to hide-- except, perhaps, the photos of him hugging Mikleo in front of various historical locations as his wallpaper.]
What's going on? Why couldn't I see you before?
[He looks at his other hand, and he's afraid to let go of Yato's sleeve. Those ghosts he saw in the woods a few weeks ago sort of flickered in and out of his view. He has the feeling he wasn't able to perceive them for whatever reason, though he could hear them just fine.]
no subject
Cheese!
[ And that's all the warning Sorey will get before Yato takes the picture, sets it as Sorey's wallpaper, and then hands it back him. You're welcome. ]
You aren't the only one having problems. I was a god in my hallucinomemories, which meant people couldn't see or remember me too well. In some ways, it's like being a ghost.
no subject
A god? No way... [... Yes way, he totally forgot Yato, too.] Then the picture is to make sure I remember you without having to go through this every time.
Does that mean if I let go of you, you'll disappear?
[Sorey doesn't want to let go at all, now.]
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Yato nods to Sorey's assumption that this is to help him remember. There's no telling how well it'll work, but it can't hurt (other than to shove Mikleo to the wayside on Sorey's phone, sorry Mikleo). ]
Eventually. When you stop thinking about me, I guess. I'll still be here, but you won't be able to see me.
no subject
Worry ripples through his expression, followed by the sad realization that Yato is invisible and forgotten by so many people. No one should have to live alone like that, especially if it isn't by choice. To Sorey, Yato's another twenty-something trying to find his way, a guy with a good heart who's good at soooo many things.
It isn't fair that he should have to live like this, while Sorey practically has no problems at all.]
In that case-- I want you to hold on, okay? As hard as you can. And when one of us lets go, you can always grab me again... on the street, at school, whatever. Just take my hand. I promise I won't turn you away, even if I don't recognize you at first.
[He is strangely serious about this oath. It's in his gaze, green and unwavering.]
I promise.
no subject
... Right.
[ Getting a little intense there, Sorey. Not that Yato doesn't appreciate it. He can tell that Sorey understands, at least a little, and that's enough. Yato will never voice it -- there's no point in voicing it -- but this change is so sudden and all-encompassing that he feels like he's being swallowed whole.
Having permission to hold Sorey's hand anytime, anywhere, though, is a little...???
But Yato will manage to hold his gaze. Sorey's eyes really are very green.
even if not for much longer]Thanks, Sorey.
[ And he dips his head, just a little, in gratitude. He isn't sure what to say beyond that. ]
no subject
homotouchy, though. He doesn't have a problem with friends initiating contact at all, and he doesn't hesitate to do so to others when he's comfortable with them (unless, of course, they don't like it).His expression softens and his smile returns like the sun peeking from behind a cloud.]
All right. Now that we've gotten that out of the way, can I treat you to something? I got paid this weekend and I just turned 21, so we could even have a drink somewhere!
no subject
You just turned 21? Look who's growing up!
[ They're literally the same age now... ]
Alright then, it's your treat. No takebacks, no matter what!
[ and here is when I mention that Yato can eat forever and never get full as a god ]