051 [ Action ] Fourth Wall

[ahappylie]

[Hey! There are people! New people! And there's still snow!

You know what this means?

SNOWBALL WAR. New people and old might find themselves at the receiving end of a snowball if they're wandering in the plaza or anywhere near House 50. Why? Because Souji is a brat and never learned to grow up.

Plus, snow is awesome.]

Comments

WHEREVER idk

[aetos]

[Wow.

Just.

What a way to welcome him back, you jerk.]

ufufu

[ahappylie]

[Whoa, one of the snowballs he lobbed out at random actually hit someone? He peeks up over a bench and stops, looking at the poor victim in shock. Forgetting what he's supposed to be hiding, he stands up.]

...Ramirez-san?

:3c

[aetos]

[Yes. :c And he's currently trying to wipe all the gross snow residue off of his face, thanks for that. There's a slight frown on his face at the sound of his name, but it turns into a look of surprise once he sees who it is.

It takes a moment to connect the face to his scrambled memories.

Ah. There it is.]

...Oh.

I should have known it was you.

o/

[ahappylie]

[Woooow he got him right in the face. There's a moment of calm, where Souji is still just shocked to see him.

And then he breaks down into giggles.]

What a way to say hello.

\o

[aetos]

[It's pretty telling of the kind of luck he has in his life tbh. That look of surprise quickly turns back into a rather stormy scowl once Souji starts giggling. Stop laughing at him. 8(]

Yes. Hello. I see you never change.

[ahappylie]

You'd be disappointed if I changed too much while you were gone.

[He steps around the bench and meanders his way over, hands behind his back and a smile on his face.]

Hello again.

[aetos]

Would I really?

[Probably. Start acting like him and Ramirez would think something terrible had happened.

There's a difference to him now. Home agrees with him better than Luceti did, even though his prospects in Arcadia are much dimmer. But for the moment, things are okay and the only darkness he has in his mind are the little grey seeds of doubt that were ever so carefully planted just recently.

He's brighter, he stands up straighter, and by god, he even smiles back. Genuinely. He'll let the snowball thing go, look how nice he is.]

It looks like it's been a while.

[ahappylie]

[Wow. A lot has changed. He looks up at Ramirez curiously, watching him smile so easily. He seems so much happier now and Souji realizes that sometimes going home is the right answer. It's a bit saddening, but now that they've met again, it isn't so bad.]

It has. Well over a year.

And you know you'd be disappointed. Can you imagine me being all frowny faced and grim? [He laughs lightly.] I think the world would end.

You look well, though. I'm glad.

[aetos]

[It's amazing what a sense of purpose can do to his confidence. He's finally useful!!!! 8D

Home is not really the right answer in his case though. Things are not always what they seem. :( That, however, is a story for another day.]

I suppose. It'd be worrisome to see you with such a drastic change in personality.

[Of course, the natural thing to say back to that is "You look well too" but Souji, you kind of...don't.

So he settles.]

...How are you feeling?

[onifukuchou]

[And that's a snowball. Right to the back of the head. Thanks, Souji :|]

[ahappylie]

[oh god, why does he keep hitting the grumpiest people in the world.

After hearing another splat, he peers up over his fort wall and then stops. What. A wingless Hijikata...? Souji keeps peering over the wall, not quite sure if he should stand up and own up to what he's done, or stay hidden and keep lobbing snowballs.]

[onifukuchou]

[Unfortunately for you, Souji, Hijikata is not actually blind, and he recognizes the top of that head poking up behind him. Figures.]

Souji.

[ahappylie]

[Well, poo.

He pops up like a jack out of its box and grins wide. Hijikata might just notice the blue and white wings sticking out behind him.]

Hello, Hijikata-san~

[onifukuchou]

[Not yet. Too busy being grumpy and annoyed]

So that was you.

[Granted, most of the other possible culprits would have had worse aim]

[ahappylie]

[Eheh, he smiles sheepishly. Still staying behind this snow fort in case Hijikata decides to try to fire a snowball back.]

My aim is just as good as it used to be, hm?

[onifukuchou]

[Used to be? Souji, you are even more confusing than usual right now]

Unfortunately.

[Thankfully for you he is far too mature to do something as childish as throw a snowball back]

[ahappylie]

[Watching, watching, and now he comes around the snow fort, still all smiles. It really is him. He's back after all this time...]

You don't have wings anymore.

[silkdragon]

[China's been wandering around wondering why am I here again aiyaaaah when--

Snowball--

In the face (or rather the back of the head which may be worse depending on your viewpoint)--

SCREAM it's so cold down the back of his shirt. What an uncalled-for attack! He will find this perpetrator. 8|!]

[ahappylie]

[Oooooh shi- He's still hitting all the grumpy people. Time to hunker down behind his snow fort...

Wait. Wait, he knows that person. Souji peeks up over the edge of the snow, curiously.]

[silkdragon]

[All the grumpy people!

--spotting the top of your head, Souji! And China gives a low exclamation of surprise, recognition, then squints at him.] Was that you, aru?

[ahappylie]

[ALL OF THEM. Even if I'm super late now /sobbing

The 'aru' gives it away and Souji smiles (not that China can see it) before sinking down behind the fort again in slow-mo.]

...Nooooooo~ It must have been another snow fort.

[silkdragon]

[/gathers close even if late!]

Ha-aaah! You can't fool me, aru. There's no others around! [Stalking on over; he's pleased to see Souji even if he lobbed a snowball at him (there have been worse things after all!!)]

[ahappylie]

[/scream I miss playing with you ;A;

If China comes around the wall, there will be Souji, crouched down behind it, looking up at the Nation in the best innocent act ever.]

But you know there are spirits everywhere. What if it was one of them?

[silkdragon]

[;w; me too bby

China folds his arms over his chest, peering down at him once he's around the wall.]

Haah, those spirits probably know better than to throw things at me!

[ahappylie]

[omgs where are you now? i miss you ;u;

Have a mini wave, China.]

They're very silly, you know.

Welcome back, Yao-san.