thenearshore | [closed]

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[closed]

Who: Hazel, Jae-Ha, and Ukoku
What: Jae-Ha drunkenly invited Ukoku over. Is it too late to rescind an invitation when someone's actually in your house?
When: 4/27, morning
Where: Aengus's silly temple
Warnings: I don't know why I'm allowed to rp

[ Ukoku is a shadow. A crow's shadow. A short-ish dark handsome (??) stranger, except in this case not a stranger, a vaguely repulsive silhouette of bad intentions in full regalia, with the smell of cigarette smoke and incense and malice clinging to his robe.

Jae-Ha doesn't deserve this. He's a good kid, tall and aesthetically appealing (which has nothing to do with how undeserving he is, but is interesting in that it says something about Hazel), with leggie for days and a talent for waxing poetic, a mildly surprising but undeniably loyal dead-man replacement for Gat.

(He's precious to you, he'd said to Filbert that day in the church: I'm jealous.)

It's not the first time Ukoku has wondered why people cling to other people the way they do, and it won't be the last.

Hazel doesn't deserve this either, probably, in spite of his prejudices and all the souls he's stolen and the wonderfully misguided vengeful justice he's applied. He hasn't had an easy life—but if fate is real, he was never meant to. And from what Ukoku knows of religion in the West, fate is a given and suffering is how saints are made. (Interesting: they run toward hardship, self-punishment and loathing and guilt.)

But he was invited, so Ukoku is standing at the door to Hazel's temple with a gift in his hands: a blue flower in a pot, because Jae-Ha crushed the other one (no he did not). He knocks lightly on the door. Surprise!! ]

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[ And Ukoku's just sort of suddenly in the house. (The manor? Is it still a manor?) ]

Oh! Are you teaching him to cook? [ There's an unspoken that's adorable on the end of it. ]

[help him

Or: Hazel is now forced to follow Ukoku back into his own house, however that happened, hastily shutting the front door and moving to try and reach the kitchen before Ukoku does. Help...]

No. Maybe a lil. He's just stirrin' a pot. [Do not mock him, he's not ten years old anymore!! Yes he is.]

Hazel?

[It's a little weird that he doesn't hear any sort of sassy retort. He might be a little worried, not getting an answer but hearing the door shut, and some voices... So, he stops paying attention to the grits just long enough to peer around the doorway.

He's in casual clothes today, too. It had been a comfortable day for the both of them, compared to the last two— his hair was still tied back in that big bow, but he's just wearing a t-shirt and some pants. No boots.

And that sure is Ukoku. The surprise on his face is clear as he suddenly disappears back into the kitchen. Don't mind him, he's just going to find a way to stand behind a counter so his feet don't show and panic at the sudden memory of inviting him.]

He disappeared! [ As if Jae-Ha can't hear him. ] I didn't think he was so shy. He told me you've been gardening, so I brought this for you. I ran out of space for plants. [ His entire temple is empty space, but that's not important. The flower is a very nice young delphinium in a terracotta pot; he expects neither to actually make it to Hazel's garden.

Times Jae-Ha has been thrown under the bus this morning: 2. ]

[Jae-Ha's two-second appearance has sealed his fate; he's going to be scolded so hard he comes back to life and dies again. Hazel hopes that the look he gives him just before he zooms back into the kitchen makes this clear.

And then he looks at Ukoku, and down at the flower, like he's only just noticed it and isn't impressed. One of these things is true. He does not move to take the pot and doesn't intend to.]

I don't like blue. [he's always been so honest and cooperative.] Do ya need somethin', Mister Ukoku?

[ He stops, frowning back at Hazel. ]

You don't? Oh, I'm sorry. Jae-Ha told me it was your favorite.

[ Bus count: 3. ]

I just wanted to see how you were doing.

[Jae-Ha is so cute and so, so dumb. Hazel frowns in a way that is much more reminiscent of being a petulant child than the last time they met, back home ("home"— in the goddamn woods), but he has the sense to try to rein it in. Urgh...]

I'm just fine, sir. We're doin' alright here on our own.

[why can't Jae-Ha be big and intimidating like Gat instead of hiding in the kitchen.... this is his realest failing as a partner.]

[ He's intimidating only when he needs to be! And, well, he hadn't expected this. Thinking back, he should have, but there were some other distractions, and now he's back to facing this. This worry... He can't hide in the kitchen for too long or it will only get worse. He supposes, green leg or not, that he shouldn't leave Hazel alone with a man who makes him so uncomfortable.

So, he comes out with his pants pulled down and wrapped under to cover his feet. Genius. This is so not beautiful, Hazel should recognize his sacrifices!! ]

Ni, I had completely forgotten... [ sweats ] I've sworn off strange trees for good, so we shouldn't have to worry about mix ups like this any more. [ Hello, he's just going to squeeze himself bodily in between them now, a hand on each of their shoulders. ] Should we sit down?

[ Wow!! Jae-Ha totally interrupted Ukoku's decision between pretending to be hurt and pretending Hazel didn't make a very pointed comment. This is great, now he can just be lazy.

Also, what is going on with those pants. He glances down at Jae-Hae's conspicuously hidden feet. ]

Well, I can stay for a few minutes. Are you all-right, Jae-Ha?

[Jae-Ha is the most embarrassing person Hazel has ever met in his life. Is this a joke? Is he really doing this? Sneak out and put some goddamn shoes on before doing this, holy shit.

How much of this can Hazel accurately communicate through staring directly at Jae-Ha when he appears to at least mercifully interrupt this moment? A lot.]

He's fine. [moron.] We won't take up too much of your time, don't worry.

This is just the latest fashion trend. I read it on the internet.

[That's the most believable thing he could say, honestly. But he gives Hazel's shoulder a squeeze, like that might make up for this horrible incident even though it won't. He'll urge them towards the kitchen table. There's enough grits for this... Probably. At least until they can get Ukoku to leave.

But he would stare right at his feet, wouldn't he? He's not sure what he and Hazel must have been speaking about until now, but that flower already has him on edge. So... As they shuffle along:]

By the way, was it "Ni" or "Ukoku?"

It's both! Ukoku is a priest's name, and Hazel met me when I was a priest. I kind of went on vacation after that, so I stopped using it.

[ It's a bright and earnest admission, despite whatever Hazel thinks he knows or might say, and Ukoku's not looking at him. (Mostly because he keeps glancing at Jae-Ha's feet, great job Jae-Ha.) ]

[Hazel glares, but it's a glare for the world. He read it on the internet— Jae-Ha, for god's sake.

If he could throw himself more grumpily into a kitchen chair, it would be no small feat. He sits there, bothered, and stares at the pot on the stove instead of either of these freaks.]

Mister Ukoku, the food's gonna spoil if ya distract him too much with stories.

[you jackasses, both of you]

Oh, a priest... I know nothing about those.

[They have special names...? Is Hazel's a special name? He seems to wonder about this for a moment before continuing past the kitchen table and over to the pot. Ugh. Things were going so WELL until today!! He's not going to let Ukoku waltz in here and ruin it!

Even if he already has. He serves them each up some grits, sliding it in front of them at the table before bringing his own over... He really hopes that now Ukoku can stare at these grits instead of at his weird feet situation. Jae-Ha doesn't sit just yet, though. First of all, that would ruin his pants set up, and second of all, he's busy hovering behind Hazel's chair and placing a hand on the back of it.]

The food will be fine, so don't bother waiting for us, but if I could borrow Hazel for just a moment... [bb let's talk this out]

[ Ukoku glances between them (having set the stupid flower on the counter), surprised and maybe even a little concerned. He was really looking forward to visiting!! Hopefully everything's all right. Mercy. ]

Oh. Of course!

[Don't ask him for permission... He doesn't live here!! Ukoku doesn't deserve manners, he's a mooch!!!

Or: Hazel is already halfway out of his chair in the seconds it takes Ukoku to respond, since it's time for Jae-Ha to die again.]

Well, 'scuse us right quick. C'mon. [Should he literally drag Jae-Ha out of the kitchen by a handful of his shirt?? No, but it's too late for that now.]

[Ah. He can't even properly stare down Ukoku for that look because he's being grabbed. So, he's dragged out of the kitchen by this very small man, and by the time they reach the next room, his feet stumble out of their pathetic hiding spot.

Frowning, he reaches for Hazel's wrist. Lowering his voice, he speaks quickly.] For the record, I didn't remember this at all until I saw his face just now. But don't worry! I can take care of it! Would you like me to send him flying?

[Will he receive mercy at the whispered offer of a kick? He thinks not, but he sure is going to try anyway.]

[Here lies Jae-Ha, he was a good shinki but also a total goddamn moron. Hazel's already only half listening to this horrible excuse, free hand already reaching for Jae-Ha's ponytail to yank on it. And not even in a nice way, considering he's actually angry this time... angry, tiny whispering-]

Are ya really this stupid? How do ya do this? I tell ya to do one thing and instead ya invite him for breakfast— [PULLS....] And what're ya tryin' to do with your feet?!

[for fUCK'S SAKE JAE-HA]

Ow!

[That was louder than a whisper because that hurt, and felt great, but it hurt. He's yanked down far too much for his back and all he can do is take these angry words. Goodness. This might be cute if it weren't so horrible.]

You know, if you knew the entire conversation, I think you might have been a little flattered by my efforts... [He's back to whispering, thankfully, frowning as he reaches with both hands to hold weakly at that wrist yanking on his hair. Stop...]

I thought it would be odd if I entered the kitchen behind you two when he already saw me.

[No... No mercy. He's still pulling, a constant pull so Jae-Ha will think about what he's done. If Hazel catches even a single hint of Jae-Ha's dumb kinks, he's going to go upstairs and cut holes in his green curtains. Watch yourself.]

Puttin' your feet up in your pants isn't odd? You're an idiot! We're goin' to get your damned boots— [He's not letting go, by the way, but if Jae-Ha keeps up with him it won't be so uncomfortable to be led toward the stairs by his own hair...

Also,] Do I look like I wanna be flattered? [hint: no] Try not screwin' up in the first place, next time.

Didn't we have this discussion already? It wasn't a second incident... I already agreed to that!

[HE'LL DO BETTER NEXT TIME... Ah, this hurts, but his kinks are very well buried right now because he is legitimately concerned about his actions and what they've done for Hazel. Right back to worrying about blight, about clumsiness due to things he didn't know or expect, about bad decisions in general... He's dragged upstairs by his ponytail, but at least he's thinking all the while that he deserves this. He sort of keeps up, but Hazel is so short.

That feeling of guilt that Jae-Ha has had all along is only worsening.]

[They need to have this conversation 800 times, just in case. Hazel doesn't actually reward that Stupid Comment with a response, dragging Jae-Ha all the way up the stairs and down to his room. He will only let go to point meaningfully, waiting for Jae-Ha to get his stupid boots.

It's a lot easier to be angry about the boots than acknowledge openly that Ukoku sitting in his kitchen deeply disturbs him, that's all. Jae-Ha didn't handle his drunken self as well as he could have, but Ukoku is the one who actually chose to show up. Now that the simple peace of their house has been interrupted, he's uncomfortable.

Like, obviously. But he's really uncomfortable. And then there's that pang in his chest-] —And stop givin' me all of your guilty conscience!

[Watch as he continues to take it out on Jae-Ha, sorry babe...]

[Ukoku sure is left to three servings of grits all on his own. That's fine. There are more pressing matters, like slipping these boots on, and how Hazel is doing.

It's pretty clear that he's uncomfortable. His anger always comes with a reason, and as guilty as Jae-Ha feels, he is trying to puzzle out how to fix this. Obviously the issue isn't as simple as a kick to the face, or he would have done that at the start.

With his boots now on, he steps back over to Hazel and places his hands on his shoulders, crouching just slightly shorter to be at his level. He'll ignore that conscience yelling for the both of them.]

I'm still right here. [It's out of nowhere for today's conversations, but from the mix of yesterday and the night before, he hopes that it's clear what he means. But to be honest, he's not really sure something like this will get across right now or help, so he's just hoping.]

[Here's hoping Ukoku likes grits, while these morons waste time upstairs. A kick to the face might improve the situation, but maybe not today... Save that.

But he is angry. Of course he is. He's angry when he looks at Jae-Ha coming back to stand in front of him again, and he's angry when Jae-Ha says something other than "yes Hazel, I'm the worst ever and a dummy," but it will sink in soon enough. He looks away.

Alright, Jae-Ha is still here. Even if this is pretty much his fault, he's still here. Hazel might not be in a mood that allows him to totally get that meaning, but he frowns a little bit less.]

I'm still mad at ya. [he's a child.] Let's get this over with so he'll get outta the house.

[He thinks it's fair to still be mad. It's like catching up with his earlier worried thoughts... Ah, but he doesn't have the time to feel bad himself, so he swats those feelings each time they try to take root any deeper. Not now, at least, not while Hazel's dealing with his own things. He'll try to reign in this impossible-to-stop sharing of emotions.

Jae-Ha's a little worried to do this while he's so angry, but he still reaches to take Hazel's hand and give it a little squeeze as he tugs him back towards the stairs. Don't worry, he lets it slip out of his grip almost immediately after he's picked it up, walking on ahead and reaching back to fix his hair a little.]

Anything else I shouldn't do while he's here?

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