o37 [Voice | Action]

[ahappylie]

Well...at least I can move the mask to the side. How is everyone else doing with their costumes? Isn't the town interesting? I've never seen anything like it! It's so strange~

[Souji is dressed like this with a mask like the ones to the right, but moved to the side so it doesn't cover his face. He doesn't like his costume at all. It brings back bad memories. But taking it off did nothing and he hates just sitting in his room all day.

If people are out and about, he can be found just about anywhere in town looking at the decorations, poking at the buildings, or taking Saizou for a walk. Eventually, he'll end up back at House 50 with Saizou in tow so he can feed the little piglet before the pig decides to eat someone.]

Comments

[targetprime.livejournal.com]

[Yes, it's quite a sore spot. Souji isn't the only one who can pile on the self-loathing. But Ramirez just smiles back. It's a bit strained around the edges, but it's looking a little more normal this time.

He fucked up bad and he knows it. So time to play nice doop doop doop~]

Maybe not, but I promise, that's not a common occurrence. Everything is fine now, in any case; I'm sorry if I alarmed you.

[ahappylie.livejournal.com]

[kajf;aj they have the same face, what is this.

Also, you cannot trick a trickster. Souji stops smiling and looks at Ramirez for a moment, his expression quiet and a little distant. He doesn't believe you, Ramirez. He smiles the same way after all. He knows what that sort of thing really means.]

...

[targetprime.livejournal.com]

[YES. I NOTICED. There was much loling and being severely creeped out.

But he seems to enjoy being a mirror right now, as the smile fades from his face once Souji starts leveling him with that odd look. Ramirez shifts under the stare; the transparent, piercing feeling he seems to get from it is not a comfortable one.]

...Are you all right?

[...It must be him. He's said something wrong. Again.

Damn it.]

...My apologies. It was never my intention to upset you.

[ahappylie.livejournal.com]

[SCREEEEEEEEEEEAM

Souji just keeps watching him for a moment, then smiles again, tilting his head to the side.]

You didn't upset me. I merely learned something new about you.

[targetprime.livejournal.com]

[...

...Somehow, he likes where this is going even less.]

...And may I ask what that would be?

[ahappylie.livejournal.com]

We're more alike than I thought.

[targetprime.livejournal.com]

[...Wh-what. Why do you say this. Nope nope nope, he is not liking the road this is taking at all. His guard is going straight up.]

...Really.

[ahappylie.livejournal.com]

[Don't worry, Ramirez. This is a road Souji hates walking.]

Maybe.

[A beat]

I don't know since we don't know each other all that well.

But do be careful, Ramirez-san. That sort of smile can get tiring after awhile.

[targetprime.livejournal.com]

[...There's a flicker of something on his face at those words. Ramirez seems to realize his expression has changed and struggles to regain the impassive look he had before, but it had already bubbled through; a hollow, desperate sort of exhaustion manages to leave an impression on his appearance.

Luceti never did sit well with him. He doesn't like it here. He's not used to the freedom, the lack of direction, the feeling of closeness that this town seems to bring.

And moreover, he doesn't like the feeling that no matter how hard he tries, everything he attempts to hide only seems to be increasingly obvious under this man's gaze.

He does not like it.


Ramirez does not designate Souji's observation with a response. In fact, with as much attention as he seems to pay it afterward, he might as well not have said anything at all.

But somehow...

He just seems so tired.]

I shouldn't keep you any longer. I'm sure you're busy.

[ahappylie.livejournal.com]

I'm not so much, but I wouldn't want to overstay my welcome anymore than I already have.

[He turns and leans down, picking up his pig who is more than happy to be off the ground now. Saizou is also smart enough to know when to be quiet, looking up at Souji quizzically without making a sound.

Souji just smiles faintly down at him as he speaks to Ramirez.]

I'm in House 50 and work the midnight shift at the Welcome Center. I'll keep another cup out for you, whenever you choose to come by.

[targetprime.livejournal.com]

All right.

[He does not promise to go. He doesn't want any more friends here. He doesn't want to feel anyone else leave.

...But there may be a part of him that is intensely grateful for the offer.

Maybe.

Not that he'll acknowledge it or anything.]

...Goodbye, Okita Souji.

[...And I do believe that was the first time Ramirez ever actually used his name to address him.]

[ahappylie.livejournal.com]

[There are no promises, nothing assured, but Okita smiles anyway, nodding. It is as much as Ramirez can give and he's okay with that. His smile turns a little softer at hearing his name and he waves.]

I'll see you again soon, Ramirez-san.

[He turns and heads off in the direction of town.]