[He hesitates for a moment when he gets a text back, quickly wondering if this was mistake- what would he even say?
But it was too late to back out now. Not when he couldn't think of another option]
something bad happened at work.
[no, that's way too much of an understatement]
its that arm retrospec gave me. it turned into a giant claw and moved on its own. place got fucked up before it stopped.
[And Ryoji got attacked...even though he's fine, thanks to being Thanatos. Not that Noah knows if he should mention that part- he promised to keep Ryoji's state a secret]
[That's a doozy of a text message. Sorey stares at his phone in shock. The fact Noah reached out to him for something like this... it's far more fitting than the kid could ever realize.
You don't get to choose who looks up to you.
Sorey takes a breath and steels himself, and then he texts back.]
it's okay. I know it doesn't feel like it's okay but it will be okay. are you hurt? I can pick you up. we can get something to eat and just chill for a while somewhere away from people. and if you don't want something to eat then that's fine.
I have a power that I haven't told you about and well I understand. we'll figure it out together, all right?
[That's a relief, at least. A few cuts and bruises he can stand, but anything more and Sorey would be duty-bound to get Noah to a hospital. If anyone else had been hurt, Noah would've said it. He's not the kind of person who lies about stuff like that-- he's always put other people over himself, just in a more subtle way than Sorey does.]
I'll be there in a few minutes... apprassage is across town. I drive a 1980s brown ford wagon so you'll know it's me. in the meantime, pick a drive thru. we'll get everything on the menu you want, my treat.
[Sorey's not wrong about that. Fortunately, the others came out okay. Ryoji took the brunt of the attack, but with how strong he is in that other form...he barely took a dent. Honestly, most of the damage came from Noah being dragged around by the claw like a rag doll
and he sees that attempt of a light tone, he can tell what he's doing. But he'll at least...try to muster up some of his snark]
[And it's the truth-- he always gives his email out at the beginning of the year. His phone number he reserves for students he sees after school, particularly ones who seem like they might need him for one reason or another. Or they can always ask him. Usually asking is the hard part.
Apprassage, where he lives, is definitely across town. The drive to Chata is thankfully uneventful but it still takes a good fifteen minutes due to all the red lights. Why they're not tuned for late night is anyone's guess, but Sorey pulls up and he's a bit anxious. What if Noah got sick of waiting and ran off? What if someone took him? He's all shades of worried.
Sorey pulls up to the curb and puts the car in park, and then he pops out to have a look around. His phone is in his hand. Hopefully he's still recognizable to Noah in a t-shirt and skinny jeans.]
[Fortunately for Sorey, despite his recklessness, Noah has a decent amount of street smarts. His dad's job didn't really let them live in the nicest parts of town, and there was everything that came before that -- so even if it's late, the kid knows how to minimize any trouble- mostly by sticking near the well lit areas of the bus station and not actually interacting with anyone that's not staff.
When Sorey pops up, he was already sitting on a bench under a streetlamp and moves to stand up. He's wearing regular street clothes- a loose fitting hoodie and jeans. Only an observant person would notice it was a bit off. Feminine pink earrings, white cutesy boots, opera gloves with a lacy texture. There was even some make-up still on his face, as well as the telltale red skin that suggests he at least tried to wash some off in the bus station's bathroom.
Basically, he had enough sense to change out of the dress before running off from the store, but that was about all he made time for.
Right now as he approaches the car, he feels a little awkward. It's hard not to, when you're being picked up by your teacher after having a rather shitty night. ]
[If Sorey notices these things, he's not going to remark on them. How can he argue with earrings when he has numerous studs and loops in his ears? Plus, you know, he dates a guy who is super feminine and flaunts it. Maybe it's a little out of the ordinary for Noah, but it's none of Sorey's business.
Right now, he just wants to make sure Noah is okay-- and he is, though he's obviously haunted. Sorey can't hide his absolute relief at seeing Noah in one piece and thankfully without a giant claw to drag around. He almost wants to hug the poor kid, but Noah's never been big on physical affection, so... he'll hold back for a while.]
Hey. It's-- it's really good to see you. Come on, let's get you out of here.
[He opens up the passenger side door for Noah. Only when he's in does Sorey get in the driver's seat. There's always that chance that Noah will leap out at the last moment, and Sorey doesn't want him to go at this alone.
Though Sorey's car is pretty old he keeps it clean on the inside. There's a little clip-on vanilla air freshener stuck on the AC vent, and some kind of Sanrio character hanging from the rear-view mirror-- as well as a strand of beads and feathers not unlike his Shepherd's glove.
He keeps his eyes forward as they pull back onto a main road.]
So I was thinking we could grab a bunch of food and then park somewhere. Or you can crash at my place. Mikleo won't be back until 3.
It's up to you. I've got a kitten, though, just-- fair warning. She might climb on you and never let you get up.
[Good job holding back on that hug impulse, Sorey. Noah isn't the physically affectionate type, and after everything that happened tonight- the defense in regards to that are even higher. All it took was a touch for everything to go wrong, after all.
He gets into the car and buckles up. The fact the car is extremely old doesn't bother him, old used cars were the norm where he grew up. Were he in a better mood, he'd probably roll his eyes at the Sanrio character and the beads hanging there- but now it barely gets a notice.
There's a pause before he speaks. He's tired, but he doesn't want to intrude on them that much. And what if it got set off in their apartment? He still was't sure what the trigger was.]
...Parking somewhere's fine. I could...go for some tacos.
[Tacos were cheap right? And pretty tasty from the ones he's had...]
[Sorey wouldn't have suggested it if he didn't think Noah was worth the risk. Though Sorey hasn't exactly armatized in Recollé yet, he thinks he could if Mikleo was a proper seraph. That kind of power seems terrifying and yet... as long as he's not alone...
Sorey nods. The nearest taco place is just a couple blocks away, so he turns left at the light and heads that way.]
I feel you. I think the best I ever did was sixteen? They come in boxes of ten, so like... that's almost two whole boxes by myself. Mikleo called me all sorts of--
[Wait, Noah's not usually the joking type.]
... Do you mean literally a hundred? I-- I can do that, but it might take them a while to make that. [HOW IS NOAH GOING TO EAT ALL OF THAT]
Never underestimate the power of emotional eating.
[Sometimes your grandpa dies and you just have to eat a thousand tacos.]
Hmmm... That makes sense if you were using your powers. Just in case, I'm gonna get a few boxes. I think they can do that in a reasonable amount of time.
[He guides the car into the drive-through.]
They have these cinnamon things-- not the churros, but they're like donut holes with frosting in them. They're super good, so I'm gonna get some of those too.
[Sorey pulls up to the speakerbox and puts in the order, along with whatever Noah likes for a drink. He's told that they'll have to wait a few minutes but it should be doable, which is good. All that's left is to pull up to the window and wait.]
It's even harder to accept when it's something tangible like that. It's different than seeing something that isn't there.
[He pauses when the window opens up. Two ridiculously large containers of soda coming right up! He gets them situated and then it's back to waiting. Sorey rests his wrist easily atop the wheel and smiles softly at his student.
Noah has come so far-- he really has. And it's awful that he has to deal with this now.]
I know you'll get through it, Noah. You're not the kind of person to just lay down and give up.
[He orders a Pepsi, getting a mountain dew this late at night seems just downright reckless even by teenage standards okay. When he gets it, he slumps a little in the seat of the car, holding onto the soda with his regular arm]
Yeah, and I've seen other people's powers before. Seen them do all sorts of weird shit. And I thought that surely the arm had to do something, it was too fucking weird not to. But....
[He bites his lip, shaking his head a little]
I didn't think all my fucking jokes about an evil hand would be for real.
[Sorey nods, listening quietly; Noah surely has a lot of feelings he needs to unpack and Sorey doesn't want to rush him or overshadow him with his own problems.]
Are you sure it's evil? Maybe it's just like-- like when a doctor hits your knee and you kick. Something really unconscious. I have a hard time believing that it would be out to destroy everything, especially when it's not doing anything right now... Maybe it was trying to protect you.
[Protect him? Protect him from what? He wasn't in any danger.]
...We were getting ready to close at the Confectionery, where I work. I got frosting on my gloves, so I took them off.
Then....[He hesitates since he really doesn't want to spill Ryoji's secret] a friend came in. We were talking and he ordered cupcakes- and then he touched my hand when I was trying to box them up.
Next thing I know there was a surge of energy and my arm transformed into a massive claw. And it kept trying to... [He swallows] It kept wrecking shit in the store like they were made of wet cardboard.
But it was....t-trying to go after my friend. I kept trying to stop it but- it just dragged me like I was nothing.
[Noah shares what happened and part of Sorey honestly hurts at the description. It was trying to go after my friend. I tried to stop it. He sounds so helpless in that moment. It can't be easy for Noah to admit something like that.
As they wait in the silence for the little drive-through window to open, Sorey finally says something.]
Thank you for telling me. I know it's not easy to... to tell people about things like this. There's always a chance that people will think you're crazy or worse. And it's hard to distance yourself from something that's literally a part of you.
But, [he continues, gray eyes soft and warm,] that's when it helps to have someone else's perspective.
So your hand turned into a claw and started doing something on its own. I think the trigger is pretty obvious. You've had no trouble up until now, right? And you probably touch people occasionally if you work around them. That means your friend was the trigger.
I don't know what that could be or why. Maybe they have a weapon on them, or maybe they have their own equally difficult limb, but the reaction is pretty telling. If you think about your arm as something... not totally like an arm, like maybe an element, it makes more sense. Oil and water can't mix, and neither can water and fire.
[He thinks of Mikleo and his water magic. But that also brings to mind the enemies of seraphim: hellions, and that force called malevolence.]
I think that reaction might not be something you can control right now, but maybe you could control your arm so it doesn't go after people again. It's a part of you. That means there's some back and forth going on.
Edited (actually nvm that sentence) 2017-07-24 00:43 (UTC)
[He listens to what Sorey is saying, taking in all in. It's true, that it does match up- that Ryoji was some sort of trigger. His arm has never done anything like that before, and it's been calm ever since he got away from him- even if he feels a weird kind of energy that's been stirred up. He even knows enough about Ryoji to know that something isn't right about him. He has that other form, and the fact he's technically dead. It makes sense, that something could react negatively to that.
But...]
Can't...mix?
[Ryoji's always been kind to him. He always smiles and says kind things, even when Noah can only muster up a scowl. In so many ways, Ryoji reminded him of his dad- which was such a blessing with how homesick he felt some days. It's what made him grow so fond of Ryoji so quickly, made him more willing to grow close even when he was afraid of being hurt...]
...But he's my friend. He's always been kind to me. Am I just supposed to...stay away from him?
[Sorey can tell from Noah's hesitation that this friend means a lot to him. He shakes his head fiercely.]
No, not at all! Actually, I think you should see him as much as possible. [He crosses his arms and looks down at his dashboard as he thinks.] I'd avoid touching him for the time being, though.
I think-- if you really, really want to be around him and protect him, that feeling must be stronger than the will of your arm. It has to be the only thing you're thinking about. You can't afford to be afraid or else you'll get distracted and lose your footing. Or... something. [He rubs at the back of his head.] That's one of the basic rules of kendo, but maybe it'll help you since you're struggling with a part of yourself.
There's a pause, as he seems to mull it over, think it through. He's tired and he's hungry and there's so many new things to process, so it takes a moment]
So...I have to have my will be stronger than the arm?
That's gonna take work. The thing dragged me around like I was nothing before.
I don't think that's fair to you. You were terrified-- and for good reason! You were totally caught off guard. Next time you'll be prepared because you know what the arm wants to do and... what it's doing. Mostly.
They say you shouldn't let your fear control you, and I think that can apply to a lot of things. [Sorey smiles at him, soft and warm and encouraging.] I know you'll figure it out.
[The shounen moment is broken by the sound of a window sliding open. Sorey has a bag of cinnamon-sugar-smelling things delivered to him, which he gingerly places on the center console.
And then there's a box of tacos. And another. And another. There's eight boxes in all and less room in his car than Sorey bargained for. Sorey thanks the teller (and apologies profusely for the trouble), and then he pulls the car off to the side so they can get situated.]
[You shouldn't let your fear control you....was that it? Could he really actually control this thing if he lets himself not be afraid? He's not sure if that's at all possible, but the arm had to be kept around for some reason didn't it...?
....
But before Noah can really respond, the order comes up. Noah straightens up in his seat, taking taco boxes as it gets passed off to him. Man, he DID order a lot of them, but they all smell so good]
-- Shit. Should we sit on the hood of the car? I don't think there's room to eat in here.
[Yikes. He's not actually sure he can DRIVE with all these taco boxes around.]
Ah, the hood's going to be hot though. Let me open up the back and put the seats down, and we can sit in the back.
[He turns off the car and pops the trunk, then gets out. It takes a minute, but sure enough there's enough room for like 300 dollar worth of groceries back here. Station wagons for the win.]
All right, we're good. Let's eat!
[He ducks back in for his soda and a couple of taco boxes, and of course the cinnamon things, and then he sits with his legs dangling out the back. He's done this before when he moved with Mikleo and Prompto, but the scenery is a bit different now. They're somewhere near the center of town but it's dead quiet aside from the occasional car on the main road.
Sorey is determined to be an adult, so he... eats the sugary things first.]</small
[Oh right, he forgot station wagons can do that. He'll be unhelpful and not help him with lowering the seats, instead just holding onto some of the taco boxes when he gets out-- setting them in the back area and sitting down.
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no subject
But it was too late to back out now. Not when he couldn't think of another option]
something bad happened at work.
[no, that's way too much of an understatement]
its that arm retrospec gave me.
it turned into a giant claw
and moved on its own.
place got fucked up before it stopped.
[And Ryoji got attacked...even though he's fine, thanks to being Thanatos. Not that Noah knows if he should mention that part- he promised to keep Ryoji's state a secret]
no subject
You don't get to choose who looks up to you.
Sorey takes a breath and steels himself, and then he texts back.]
it's okay. I know it doesn't feel like it's okay but it will be okay.
are you hurt?
I can pick you up. we can get something to eat and just chill for a while somewhere away from people. and if you don't want something to eat then that's fine.
I have a power that I haven't told you about and
well
I understand.
we'll figure it out together, all right?
no subject
im ok
just cuts and bruises.
[there's another pause.
"I understand. We'll figure this out together".
... ]
am starving though.
im near the bus station in chata.
no subject
I'll be there in a few minutes... apprassage is across town.
I drive a 1980s brown ford wagon so you'll know it's me.
in the meantime, pick a drive thru. we'll get everything on the menu you want, my treat.
also I slept through dinner. oops
[Hopefully keeping a light tone will help.]
no subject
and he sees that attempt of a light tone, he can tell what he's doing. But he'll at least...try to muster up some of his snark]
nice going.
but ok
ill keep a look out.
thanks mr. doushi.
text --> action;
[And it's the truth-- he always gives his email out at the beginning of the year. His phone number he reserves for students he sees after school, particularly ones who seem like they might need him for one reason or another. Or they can always ask him. Usually asking is the hard part.
Apprassage, where he lives, is definitely across town. The drive to Chata is thankfully uneventful but it still takes a good fifteen minutes due to all the red lights. Why they're not tuned for late night is anyone's guess, but Sorey pulls up and he's a bit anxious. What if Noah got sick of waiting and ran off? What if someone took him? He's all shades of worried.
Sorey pulls up to the curb and puts the car in park, and then he pops out to have a look around. His phone is in his hand. Hopefully he's still recognizable to Noah in a t-shirt and skinny jeans.]
here!
action;
When Sorey pops up, he was already sitting on a bench under a streetlamp and moves to stand up. He's wearing regular street clothes- a loose fitting hoodie and jeans. Only an observant person would notice it was a bit off. Feminine pink earrings, white cutesy boots, opera gloves with a lacy texture. There was even some make-up still on his face, as well as the telltale red skin that suggests he at least tried to wash some off in the bus station's bathroom.
Basically, he had enough sense to change out of the dress before running off from the store, but that was about all he made time for.
Right now as he approaches the car, he feels a little awkward. It's hard not to, when you're being picked up by your teacher after having a rather shitty night. ]
...Hey.
action;
Right now, he just wants to make sure Noah is okay-- and he is, though he's obviously haunted. Sorey can't hide his absolute relief at seeing Noah in one piece and thankfully without a giant claw to drag around. He almost wants to hug the poor kid, but Noah's never been big on physical affection, so... he'll hold back for a while.]
Hey. It's-- it's really good to see you. Come on, let's get you out of here.
[He opens up the passenger side door for Noah. Only when he's in does Sorey get in the driver's seat. There's always that chance that Noah will leap out at the last moment, and Sorey doesn't want him to go at this alone.
Though Sorey's car is pretty old he keeps it clean on the inside. There's a little clip-on vanilla air freshener stuck on the AC vent, and some kind of Sanrio character hanging from the rear-view mirror-- as well as a strand of beads and feathers not unlike his Shepherd's glove.
He keeps his eyes forward as they pull back onto a main road.]
So I was thinking we could grab a bunch of food and then park somewhere. Or you can crash at my place. Mikleo won't be back until 3.
It's up to you. I've got a kitten, though, just-- fair warning. She might climb on you and never let you get up.
no subject
He gets into the car and buckles up. The fact the car is extremely old doesn't bother him, old used cars were the norm where he grew up. Were he in a better mood, he'd probably roll his eyes at the Sanrio character and the beads hanging there- but now it barely gets a notice.
There's a pause before he speaks. He's tired, but he doesn't want to intrude on them that much. And what if it got set off in their apartment? He still was't sure what the trigger was.]
...Parking somewhere's fine. I could...go for some tacos.
[Tacos were cheap right? And pretty tasty from the ones he's had...]
Like, a hundred of them.
no subject
Sorey nods. The nearest taco place is just a couple blocks away, so he turns left at the light and heads that way.]
I feel you. I think the best I ever did was sixteen? They come in boxes of ten, so like... that's almost two whole boxes by myself. Mikleo called me all sorts of--
[Wait, Noah's not usually the joking type.]
... Do you mean literally a hundred? I-- I can do that, but it might take them a while to make that. [HOW IS NOAH GOING TO EAT ALL OF THAT]
no subject
[Boxes of ten....yeah, that's his kind of taco place. But at Sorey's concern, he snorts]
No. Probably more like twenty or thirty.
[....]
I think. I dunno. I feel way hungrier than I normally do. Its fucked up.
no subject
[Sometimes your grandpa dies and you just have to eat a thousand tacos.]
Hmmm... That makes sense if you were using your powers. Just in case, I'm gonna get a few boxes. I think they can do that in a reasonable amount of time.
[He guides the car into the drive-through.]
They have these cinnamon things-- not the churros, but they're like donut holes with frosting in them. They're super good, so I'm gonna get some of those too.
no subject
[He'll try just about anything, really. It's very rare for him to come across a food he doesn't like. Wonderful food.
....
"Using your powers"]
Still fucking weird to think I have powers.
no subject
It's even harder to accept when it's something tangible like that. It's different than seeing something that isn't there.
[He pauses when the window opens up. Two ridiculously large containers of soda coming right up! He gets them situated and then it's back to waiting. Sorey rests his wrist easily atop the wheel and smiles softly at his student.
Noah has come so far-- he really has. And it's awful that he has to deal with this now.]
I know you'll get through it, Noah. You're not the kind of person to just lay down and give up.
no subject
Yeah, and I've seen other people's powers before. Seen them do all sorts of weird shit. And I thought that surely the arm had to do something, it was too fucking weird not to. But....
[He bites his lip, shaking his head a little]
I didn't think all my fucking jokes about an evil hand would be for real.
no subject
Are you sure it's evil? Maybe it's just like-- like when a doctor hits your knee and you kick. Something really unconscious. I have a hard time believing that it would be out to destroy everything, especially when it's not doing anything right now... Maybe it was trying to protect you.
[He tilts his head.]
Do you want to walk me through what happened?
no subject
...We were getting ready to close at the Confectionery, where I work. I got frosting on my gloves, so I took them off.
Then....[He hesitates since he really doesn't want to spill Ryoji's secret] a friend came in. We were talking and he ordered cupcakes- and then he touched my hand when I was trying to box them up.
Next thing I know there was a surge of energy and my arm transformed into a massive claw. And it kept trying to... [He swallows] It kept wrecking shit in the store like they were made of wet cardboard.
But it was....t-trying to go after my friend. I kept trying to stop it but- it just dragged me like I was nothing.
no subject
As they wait in the silence for the little drive-through window to open, Sorey finally says something.]
Thank you for telling me. I know it's not easy to... to tell people about things like this. There's always a chance that people will think you're crazy or worse. And it's hard to distance yourself from something that's literally a part of you.
But, [he continues, gray eyes soft and warm,] that's when it helps to have someone else's perspective.
So your hand turned into a claw and started doing something on its own. I think the trigger is pretty obvious. You've had no trouble up until now, right? And you probably touch people occasionally if you work around them. That means your friend was the trigger.
I don't know what that could be or why. Maybe they have a weapon on them, or maybe they have their own equally difficult limb, but the reaction is pretty telling. If you think about your arm as something... not totally like an arm, like maybe an element, it makes more sense. Oil and water can't mix, and neither can water and fire.
[He thinks of Mikleo and his water magic. But that also brings to mind the enemies of seraphim: hellions, and that force called malevolence.]
I think that reaction might not be something you can control right now, but maybe you could control your arm so it doesn't go after people again. It's a part of you. That means there's some back and forth going on.
no subject
But...]
Can't...mix?
[Ryoji's always been kind to him. He always smiles and says kind things, even when Noah can only muster up a scowl. In so many ways, Ryoji reminded him of his dad- which was such a blessing with how homesick he felt some days. It's what made him grow so fond of Ryoji so quickly, made him more willing to grow close even when he was afraid of being hurt...]
...But he's my friend. He's always been kind to me. Am I just supposed to...stay away from him?
no subject
No, not at all! Actually, I think you should see him as much as possible. [He crosses his arms and looks down at his dashboard as he thinks.] I'd avoid touching him for the time being, though.
I think-- if you really, really want to be around him and protect him, that feeling must be stronger than the will of your arm. It has to be the only thing you're thinking about. You can't afford to be afraid or else you'll get distracted and lose your footing. Or... something. [He rubs at the back of his head.] That's one of the basic rules of kendo, but maybe it'll help you since you're struggling with a part of yourself.
no subject
There's a pause, as he seems to mull it over, think it through. He's tired and he's hungry and there's so many new things to process, so it takes a moment]
So...I have to have my will be stronger than the arm?
That's gonna take work. The thing dragged me around like I was nothing before.
no subject
They say you shouldn't let your fear control you, and I think that can apply to a lot of things. [Sorey smiles at him, soft and warm and encouraging.] I know you'll figure it out.
[The shounen moment is broken by the sound of a window sliding open. Sorey has a bag of cinnamon-sugar-smelling things delivered to him, which he gingerly places on the center console.
And then there's a box of tacos. And another. And another. There's eight boxes in all and less room in his car than Sorey bargained for. Sorey thanks the teller (and apologies profusely for the trouble), and then he pulls the car off to the side so they can get situated.]
no subject
....
But before Noah can really respond, the order comes up. Noah straightens up in his seat, taking taco boxes as it gets passed off to him. Man, he DID order a lot of them, but they all smell so good]
-- Shit. Should we sit on the hood of the car? I don't think there's room to eat in here.
no subject
Ah, the hood's going to be hot though. Let me open up the back and put the seats down, and we can sit in the back.
[He turns off the car and pops the trunk, then gets out. It takes a minute, but sure enough there's enough room for like 300 dollar worth of groceries back here. Station wagons for the win.]
All right, we're good. Let's eat!
[He ducks back in for his soda and a couple of taco boxes, and of course the cinnamon things, and then he sits with his legs dangling out the back. He's done this before when he moved with Mikleo and Prompto, but the scenery is a bit different now. They're somewhere near the center of town but it's dead quiet aside from the occasional car on the main road.
Sorey is determined to be an adult, so he... eats the sugary things first.]</small
no subject
[Oh right, he forgot station wagons can do that. He'll be unhelpful and not help him with lowering the seats, instead just holding onto some of the taco boxes when he gets out-- setting them in the back area and sitting down.
He glances at Sorey eating those sugary things.]
Those the cinnamon things?
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