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Appointments & Messages
| APPOINTMENTS & MESSAGES |
Please label with the date and type of interaction. EX: [Voice - March 5th] / [Action - March 12th] / [Video - April 7th] |
[When he felt Cliff scrubbing the smudge away, he waited until he was certain it was gone, then turned his head until his cheek was pressed against his palm and raised his hands to close around Cliff's. His skin was warm and he felt solid. Sometimes he still had nightmares about finding that battlefield and somehow it all played out wrong. He struggled through an ever expanding crowd of faceless winged shadows until both Cliff and Fayt were killed right in front of him. More than the other nightmares, the ones that lingered but he could barely recall, that one haunted him night after night.
But for now, Cliff was here. Souji closed his eyes and tried to quiet the unnatural fear that when he opened them, he'd be gone. He'd avoided relationships since he was old enough to have one for one reason or another. Here, he had become accustomed to the other person leaving him behind. It still scared him. Sometimes he had to stop himself from going to Cliff and Fayt's apartment in the middle of the night, just to reassure himself that they weren't going to leave. It was hard enough when Kohaku was gone, but if he lost the only other people he'd let himself become attached to here? What if he was left alone again? He knew he couldn't let himself fall prey to that mindset though. People would avoid him because that wasn't how normal people acted. Was it? He wasn't sure anymore.
Cliff's hand was warm though. That was all that mattered now. Souji opened his eyes and glanced up at Cliff.]
Thank you. I feel much better now.
But for now, Cliff was here. Souji closed his eyes and tried to quiet the unnatural fear that when he opened them, he'd be gone. He'd avoided relationships since he was old enough to have one for one reason or another. Here, he had become accustomed to the other person leaving him behind. It still scared him. Sometimes he had to stop himself from going to Cliff and Fayt's apartment in the middle of the night, just to reassure himself that they weren't going to leave. It was hard enough when Kohaku was gone, but if he lost the only other people he'd let himself become attached to here? What if he was left alone again? He knew he couldn't let himself fall prey to that mindset though. People would avoid him because that wasn't how normal people acted. Was it? He wasn't sure anymore.
Cliff's hand was warm though. That was all that mattered now. Souji opened his eyes and glanced up at Cliff.]
Thank you. I feel much better now.
[He's beginning to question why he even tried here.]
There is nothing about myself and insects. Goodness, don't you know an insult when you see one?
There is nothing about myself and insects. Goodness, don't you know an insult when you see one?
[The subtle weariness that lingered behind Souji's smile would have been hidden to most people who didn't know the man. It was Cliff's familiarity, after months of talking and teasing and pulling eachother back from mind-altering shifts, that had made him aware of the nuances...but, he still could only imagine what it was that Souji was thinking instead of saying.
But he didn't pres for details. He never would.
Instead he just focused on the warmth of the body before him, the long silken hair, and the slender but strong build of the man he had finally decided to openly pursue.
It wasn't much, but the little thing they had together was still good.
He ran his hands through that hair, teasing out small twists and tangles from the strands....
...yes, this was good.]
You're looking a little better too. It's funny what a good shower can do.
But he didn't pres for details. He never would.
Instead he just focused on the warmth of the body before him, the long silken hair, and the slender but strong build of the man he had finally decided to openly pursue.
It wasn't much, but the little thing they had together was still good.
He ran his hands through that hair, teasing out small twists and tangles from the strands....
...yes, this was good.]
You're looking a little better too. It's funny what a good shower can do.
[Fayt at least has enough shame to look abashed at that, glancing away again.
Guess he really had been caught. Dancing around it was about as awkward as being caught, though.]
Geez... this is embarrassing.
Guess he really had been caught. Dancing around it was about as awkward as being caught, though.]
Geez... this is embarrassing.
[...the weather was getting cooler. The subtle crispness of the afternoon breeze and the faint changes in the leaves that indicated the slow arrival of autumn were becoming more and more apparent as they days drew by. With the change of this world's seasons already underway, Cliff wasn't sure how much longer the weather would stay balmy and comfortable...
He wanted to take advantage of it.
Cliff arrived at Souji's doorstep suddenly that afternoon, wearing denim pants, sandals, and a grin on his face. He knocked with a firm, steady hand, sincerely hoping that Souji was actually in at that time.
Normally he gave a warning...but, this was supposed to be a surprise.]
He wanted to take advantage of it.
Cliff arrived at Souji's doorstep suddenly that afternoon, wearing denim pants, sandals, and a grin on his face. He knocked with a firm, steady hand, sincerely hoping that Souji was actually in at that time.
Normally he gave a warning...but, this was supposed to be a surprise.]
[With Hijikata finally feeling a little better, Souji had been able to relax and spend more time on the house rather than fretting over his friend. The cooler weather was nice, and it meant he could wear a light haori instead of sitting and barely surviving in a thin yukata instead. It also meant, however, that it was time to change the wardrobe, take out all the winter things, air and clean them, wash and dry the summer things, and fold and put everything away. He was in the process of folding the summer weight clothes when he heard the knock at the door. Saizou was happily dozing on a pile of laundry waiting for the wash, so Souji left him there as he went to the door.
Souji opened the door enough to see who was outside first, then opened it wide when he found Cliff at the door.]
Cliff-san! Hello! I didn't realize you were coming over or I would have put coffee on for you.
Souji opened the door enough to see who was outside first, then opened it wide when he found Cliff at the door.]
Cliff-san! Hello! I didn't realize you were coming over or I would have put coffee on for you.
Nah-- no need,
[Cliff waved off the offer and leaned back on his heels with his hands on his hips.]
-- I hope you didn't make any plans for this afternoon, 'cause you're gonna have to break 'em if you did.
[Cliff waved off the offer and leaned back on his heels with his hands on his hips.]
-- I hope you didn't make any plans for this afternoon, 'cause you're gonna have to break 'em if you did.
Plans?
[That was odd. And now that he had a moment to take a look at Cliff's clothing, so were they. He couldn't remember the last time he'd seen Cliff wearing flat geta like those.]
No, I was just doing the wardrobe change. Did something happen?
[That was odd. And now that he had a moment to take a look at Cliff's clothing, so were they. He couldn't remember the last time he'd seen Cliff wearing flat geta like those.]
No, I was just doing the wardrobe change. Did something happen?
No, nothing's happened.
[Yet. His grin grew a little broader when he stepped forward and broke the distance between the two of them, moving to wrap his arms around Souji in what appeared to be a hug.]
...Wardrobes can wait. I hope you're up for an adventure.
[Yet. His grin grew a little broader when he stepped forward and broke the distance between the two of them, moving to wrap his arms around Souji in what appeared to be a hug.]
...Wardrobes can wait. I hope you're up for an adventure.
[Well, that's good because sometimes Souji expected people to come to his house to say that their microwave exploded or they kicked a hole in the wall so they need a place to stay, or that they punched down too many doors and got kicked out. He was about to respond when Cliff suddenly hugged him. Usually he had more warning than that - and could give more warning, too, since he knew Saizou would wake up upon hearing Cliff's voice, and that he would not be pleased about this.
Souji craned his neck back to look up at Cliff, tilting his head to the side. Behind him, he could hear Saizou grumbling as he woke up.]
I suppose so? As long as you don't mind that Saizou is waking up. Right now.
Souji craned his neck back to look up at Cliff, tilting his head to the side. Behind him, he could hear Saizou grumbling as he woke up.]
I suppose so? As long as you don't mind that Saizou is waking up. Right now.
That's fine by me. More fun this way!
[Cliff chuckled-- ah, it was this game again!
In a smooth motion he picked Souji and, holding him secure with both of his arms, took off down the dirt road that lead away from the house.]
[Cliff chuckled-- ah, it was this game again!
In a smooth motion he picked Souji and, holding him secure with both of his arms, took off down the dirt road that lead away from the house.]
Wai--
[He barely got the word out before he was up in the air and being carried down the road, the door to the house still open. Quickly, he wrapped his arms around Cliff's shoulders, trying to keep himself stable as they went, and trying to get a glimpse behind them as he saw Saizou take a flying leap out the door. The pig was tearing up a dust cloud as his hooves dug into the ground, trying to catch up to them both.]
He's not very pleased! Where are we going?
[He barely got the word out before he was up in the air and being carried down the road, the door to the house still open. Quickly, he wrapped his arms around Cliff's shoulders, trying to keep himself stable as they went, and trying to get a glimpse behind them as he saw Saizou take a flying leap out the door. The pig was tearing up a dust cloud as his hooves dug into the ground, trying to catch up to them both.]
He's not very pleased! Where are we going?
That's my secret!
[He laughed, not even bothering to look behind him to get a glimpse of the little terror he knew wasn't far behind. This was just something he needed to do...
...Though, Souji would recognize the path to the Barracks. Cliff wasn't confident enough in his ability to compensate to take the back routes yet.]
[He laughed, not even bothering to look behind him to get a glimpse of the little terror he knew wasn't far behind. This was just something he needed to do...
...Though, Souji would recognize the path to the Barracks. Cliff wasn't confident enough in his ability to compensate to take the back routes yet.]
[If Cliff wasn't going to look back, Souji would take up that job. From where he was, it was easy to see how Saizou was spinning his wheels trying to catch up and how it was extremely likely that it wasn't going to work. The pathway was familiar to him, but Souji doubted that he'd be kidnapped over a training session - not with Cliff wearing Western geta. Despite not knowing what was going on, Souji couldn't help but laugh.]
This isn't going to make him like you any better, you know.
This isn't going to make him like you any better, you know.
Who cares? He's stubborn anyway.
[Cliff chuckled and barreled forth into the Barracks, not bothering to even close the door behind him. He beelined to the teleporter...
Have fun, Saizou.]
[Cliff chuckled and barreled forth into the Barracks, not bothering to even close the door behind him. He beelined to the teleporter...
Have fun, Saizou.]
I could--
[He paused mid-sentence as they punched through into the Barracks, ducking his head a little as they passed the threshold.]
--say the same for someone else!
[And into the teleporter they went. Saizou banged into the barracks' door, trying to turn the corner and appeared just a moment after the teleporter whirred to life, sending them where Cliff had programmed it to go. As the people disappeared in front of his eyes, Saizou came to a stop in front of the machine and snorted, sitting down to wait.]
[He paused mid-sentence as they punched through into the Barracks, ducking his head a little as they passed the threshold.]
--say the same for someone else!
[And into the teleporter they went. Saizou banged into the barracks' door, trying to turn the corner and appeared just a moment after the teleporter whirred to life, sending them where Cliff had programmed it to go. As the people disappeared in front of his eyes, Saizou came to a stop in front of the machine and snorted, sitting down to wait.]
[...Saizou was going to have to wait a while, because Cliff intended to keep his human abducted for the better part of the afternoon.
--They arrived at the beach in an instant, sand replacing the dirt beneath their feet and and the sun still cheerfully shining down upon the duo despite the waning season. Besides the odd cry of a passing gull or the small crabs that scuttled between the waves along the shoreline, they were alone.
Just as planned.
Chuckling, Cliff set Souji down on his feet and proceeded to try to straighten out the loose clothes that Souji favored.]
You say that like it's a bad thing, [He said,]
...but, damn, I think he's gonna really be pissed this time.
--They arrived at the beach in an instant, sand replacing the dirt beneath their feet and and the sun still cheerfully shining down upon the duo despite the waning season. Besides the odd cry of a passing gull or the small crabs that scuttled between the waves along the shoreline, they were alone.
Just as planned.
Chuckling, Cliff set Souji down on his feet and proceeded to try to straighten out the loose clothes that Souji favored.]
You say that like it's a bad thing, [He said,]
...but, damn, I think he's gonna really be pissed this time.
[Teleporters were still weird to Souji. One minute they were running frantically from his pig indoors, and the next they were standing peacefully on a beach. He hadn't come here often yet, but he knew what the shoreline was like. It wasn't the same as in Japan, but it held its own sort of beauty.
Once on his feet, Souji pulled and tucked his clothing back into place, laughing a little at Cliff's comment.]
If that someone wasn't stubborn, I don't think I'd be here now.
[Instinctively, he glanced over his shoulder, half-expecting to see Saizou there. He was greeted with nothing but sand and the sight of a seagull landing on a nearby dune.]
And it's likely he will be, but that just means I have to visit your place instead. He'll cool down eventually.
Once on his feet, Souji pulled and tucked his clothing back into place, laughing a little at Cliff's comment.]
If that someone wasn't stubborn, I don't think I'd be here now.
[Instinctively, he glanced over his shoulder, half-expecting to see Saizou there. He was greeted with nothing but sand and the sight of a seagull landing on a nearby dune.]
And it's likely he will be, but that just means I have to visit your place instead. He'll cool down eventually.
Guess I'll need to start trying to bribe him, huh?
[He chuckled, drawing away just enough to give Souji a little space to get his bearings. He easily slipped out of his sandals and dug his toes in the cool sand, taking the moment to enjoy the sweetness of the salty breeze and the low rumble of the crashing waves, quietly embracing the immediacy of the moment.]
...I wanted to get you out here before the seasons changed and beat us to it. Dunno how much longer it'll be comfortable to go 'round without socks.
[He chuckled, drawing away just enough to give Souji a little space to get his bearings. He easily slipped out of his sandals and dug his toes in the cool sand, taking the moment to enjoy the sweetness of the salty breeze and the low rumble of the crashing waves, quietly embracing the immediacy of the moment.]
...I wanted to get you out here before the seasons changed and beat us to it. Dunno how much longer it'll be comfortable to go 'round without socks.
You know what I'm talking about. [He still doesn't meet Souji's gaze, rubbing the back of his head. Really Souji, he's giving up the ghost here.]
Bribes only go so far, but they might get you somewhere.
[He hadn't been out to the beach much despite the teleporters making quick work of the trip. In his own country, the ocean had seemed like an impossible barrier and he'd wanted to stay on the right side of it. Still, he couldn't deny the feeling of awe the blue expanse instilled in a person and he smiled faintly as Cliff spoke.
Souji turned to look at the Klausian and his smile widened.]
And so all of that was to get me here? You do have a flair for theatrics, don't you.
[He hadn't been out to the beach much despite the teleporters making quick work of the trip. In his own country, the ocean had seemed like an impossible barrier and he'd wanted to stay on the right side of it. Still, he couldn't deny the feeling of awe the blue expanse instilled in a person and he smiled faintly as Cliff spoke.
Souji turned to look at the Klausian and his smile widened.]
And so all of that was to get me here? You do have a flair for theatrics, don't you.
Well, someone needs to around here!
[He beamed down at Souji, glad to see that his partner was enjoying it so far.]
With how quiet it's all been, we need a little bit of entertainment.
[He beamed down at Souji, glad to see that his partner was enjoying it so far.]
With how quiet it's all been, we need a little bit of entertainment.
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