[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.
[Sorry Sorey, can't talk, too busy scarfing down the rest of the ones he was giving them. And I mean scarfing - the kid is frankly eating like he hasn't eaten in a week. ]
[Sorey eats much slower in comparison, though he's no slouch. The brunet is... honestly kind of impressed. When he's finished with cinnamon things, he moves onto a box of crunchy tacos.]
[Meanwhile Noah is showing no sign of slowing down. He demolishes the cinnamon things, then goes into another box of tacos. It's not until thats destroyed that he finally pauses to you know, breathe]
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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]
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[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.
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[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.
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[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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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[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?
HTML FAIL WHY
Yep! Here, have some.
[Meanwhile, he just. Pops one into his mouth whole. They're not too big for that, but still.]
Its ok it happens to the best of us
Mmm!
[That sure is a happy noise of eating, he seems to approve]
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[This is truly vanilla cream cheese heaven. He chews and swallows, then washes it down with some diet soda.]
This isn't so bad, right? Even if I am pretty lame.
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Ha..it's good.