thenearshore | what's happening here (mostly open)

Entry tags:

what's happening here (mostly open)

Who: Hazel and Keito, Hazel and Pals (you)
What: pal stuff, yahoo answers
When: April 29 and/or later, I'm not picky
Where: around....
Warnings: well, the links contain questionably nsfw text, and the Jae-Ha thread contains definitely nsfw text, oops

APRIL 29.... hello Keito
[It's real nice of that Keito kid to have made all of these worksheets for Japanese study, really. Hazel was surprised the other day, when Jae-Ha suddenly delivered them to him with his usual Jae-Ha flourishing, but he's kind of touched by it too... Hooter Kid isn't so bad.

The problem with having a magical spoken understanding of a language but only a very basic written understanding of it is this: he still can't read some of this. How does he do practice worksheets if he can't read them??

He decides he might as well call Keito, because why not call someone he's only ever spoken to on the internet. That's fine. Ring ring, nerd.]

A. YahooAnswersTXT
[So, as a (false) god with a domain of great things like love and youth and poetic inspiration, the prayers Hazel gets custom-tailored to himself sure are... as interesting as one would expect. Since he's been thinking for a few days now about what he should actually do as a (totally fake) god, taking into account his misgivings about the whole thing but still wanting to help normal people— well, he's decided to check Aengus' shrine every so often to see what he can do.

For the people. The people who really, desperately need help with love and youth, at least... The prayers manifest as plaques and handwritten tags hung on the shrine, so that anyone walking by can see exactly what he's dealing with, generally speaking.

Is this worth it... he doesn't even get paid, technically... He gingerly picks one up by its corner, not actually daring to pull it off the shrine in case that means he has to commit to it or something.]

Just one...? Mercy, I don't know what I did to deserve this.

[please..... this is harassment] The poor souls sure are in need...

B. hazel joins a gang
[Or: if you catch him in a variety of stores, he may be:

1. wearing a leather jacket, and shopping for more leather jackets
2. staring at a snack food and commenting that they Sure Are Tasteless Around Here
or
3. something else!! WILDCARD

He sure is out and about...]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Hazel... This conflict goes way beyond just the stuff they've been dealing with here. He's too bothered for it to be something that's happened so quickly. Jae-Ha pulls back from his hug just enough to look him in the face, but is sure to keep his hands on him.]

I... don't think we should have any right to decide something like that. [What they're "better off" with or without, that is. But—] What I do know is that it tried to harm us, and it wasn't going to stop for anything. If that's what you define a monster by, then yes.

I would have killed it myself if I had the ability. The fact that it relentlessly went after you... [And him, but who cares.] That was all it took. It will be sad once someone takes care of it, but I don't think it would be wrong of them. I'd even say it was right.

Some things can't be helped. [Maybe his way of thinking isn't the best in this case. He's not sure what Hazel needs to hear, so he's only being honest with him.]

[Urgh, does he have to look at his face? Can't he keep letting his gaze drift somewhere else, while Jae-Ha talks at him? That seems easier.]

What's gonna be better about the world with a thing like that in it? [He has the energy left to cut in with this, insistently, before he falls silent for the rest of Jae-Ha's speech. He shouldn't be comforted by the fact that Jae-Ha would kill monsters for his sake, but he is. He is.

It was right. More than just that, everything he's said to Hazel just now, but it was right. A human turned into a monster today, and it will be right to put it down. Hazel wonders if that still counts as mercy.

It seems he still has things to think about. Now, though, he wants to lean closer into Jae-Ha again. Stop looking at him and let him sulk.] ...I killed monsters for a livin', before this cheap Heaven took away the power I had. Ya don't have to tell me ya figured it out already. [He's... not subtle!!] I s'pose I never had to think of 'em as bein' somebody once until recently.

[Poor Hazel. Jae-Ha wishes he was better at this comforting thing, but he feels like he might actually be the worst. Still, at even the slightest bit of a lean closer, Jae-Ha shifts to pull his leg out of the water completely and closes the distance to hug Hazel. The blight is gone now. He doesn't have to worry about that.]

When you're doing something like that, it's easier not to think about it. Sometimes thinking can delay everything, and before you know it, you're hurt. [He feels like he knows this well even if he has no idea why.]

But at the same time, it's only human to think about these things. [He squeezes Hazel in this hug.] It's okay.

[He'll be back on that in a minute; he's looking down at Jae-Ha's leg again, even, but he's so distracted he doesn't even notice. There's just his runaway thoughts, and his hug to keep him in the present.]

I was just angry. [Angry... and tired. He's more tired than he thought. He sighs.] Still, I don't think what I was doin' was wrong.

[So, there's that - he's got that much focus, despite all the sad feelings trying to win out. His grip on Jae-Ha's shirt slackens all the way, finally, and he slides that hand up around his back instead. Hugging... it will work. Jae-Ha doesn't think he's some kind of disturbed creep doing nothing right by anybody, so - that's good.

After a beat,] ...Your leg's all better now. [whoa!!]

I don't know the details of everything you've done with that where you're from, but I do know that you're a good person. I've seen that myself. I wouldn't stand by just anyone. [He slips this in at least, as they hug, taking a slow, deep breath. He can connect some of the things through logic and the bits and pieces of information he's received. Hazel's powers involve some sort of exchange and borrowing souls to bring back the dead, and now he's saying he killed monsters for a living? He gets it, he's pretty sure.

It just makes him hold on tighter. Despite knowing that, he doesn't think he'd say Hazel has done anything wrong. Even if there was some point where it was handled wrong, it must have been with good intention. That's what Jae-Ha thinks.]

My leg is fine, thanks to you. If only I could have done more...

[...Jae-Ha is a good person, himself. It's not that Hazel is angling for some kind of approval, at least not consciously - but he knows he's on the defensive, talking about how he hasn't done anything wrong without Jae-Ha saying anything like that. He's been thinking too much lately, that's all.

But Jae-Ha is a good person, and Hazel's first instinct is to move in closer. It's a haphazard hug on the ground and his knee's bumping against Jae-Ha's wet leg, but it doesn't matter as long as he's close. He can't think of anything to say to that, but surely the way he's progressively melting into this hug will convey how he feels about it.]

It's not like I'm askin' ya to go all out for me. [That worked just fine when it was with Gat, and Hazel was always prepared with the materials to fix him if something went wrong, but he can't do much here beyond drag Jae-Ha to holy water and hope it's enough. He cares, so don't get murdered, thanks.] But I appreciate the sentiment.

[And he'll still worry...]

[Sometimes he can forget that Hazel has all of this that he's holding onto. He might not be subtle about everything, but it only really comes out in serious moments like this. Here, with him melting into this hug so thoroughly, Jae-Ha only wants to pull him closer. He's not asking him to go all out, that's true, but Jae-Ha isn't a person who can so easily hold back when he could be helping. Even if that weren't true, holding Hazel closely like this, he can't help but think that he wants to keep him safe.

Keeping Hazel safe means he expects to stay safe himself, too, though. He'll have to remember that. He's just realizing that if Hazel hadn't been there, he might have been a lot more reckless with it. This time, he realizes that voicing his worries about not doing enough out loud doesn't really help, so he holds back any retort about how he'll go all out whether Hazel asks him to or not. It's just that he also has to keep in mind what would work or not. He is trying to stay alive... Hm.

For now, he hugs him and shifts a little more to close a few more inches, even if his wet leg is touching even more.]

Such sad expressions don't suit you at all. [He'll say this even when he's not currently looking at his face since they're hugging.] Don't go thinking I'm so fragile.

[Stop worrying...]

[Hmm, wet leg. Later he might complain about it, just to change the subject, but he doesn't seem to care just yet as he moves closer still. He sure doesn't hear an answer there, nothing like "no, Hazel, I won't go all out and get myself killed just because," but he supposes he'll have to make himself content with Jae-Ha listening to him. He's said it once, he can now bring it up whenever it suits him!!]

I'm not makin' a face. [He is making a face.] I'm just tellin' ya what I think.

[Without actually saying aloud that he doesn't know what he'd do if he lost Jae-Ha, because Jae-Ha acted too rashly and he couldn't do anything about it - that's fine. He's a tiny clingy mess, Jae-Ha will get the point well enough.]

You're just an idiot who thinks he can kick monsters that burn when ya touch 'em. [This is him being a baby, but also what the HELL.....]

[He sure didn't answer that. But that's fine, they have this hug, and Hazel seems to be easing up slowly, even if it's just with baby comments like this. Jae-Ha smiles, curling his fingers into Hazel's hair and watching it slip through.]

My right leg is stronger than you can imagine. So long as I kicked with that one, I don't think it would have ended as badly as you might think.

[He's just saying. That leg can't get cut, as far as he knows, when there are scales. Burning? He doesn't think that would be a problem either.] But it wouldn't have finished it off, and I had to be sure I could get us out of there. Are you complaining when I didn't even kick it?

[Don't point out the holes in his baby logic, he's Right... He's not looking up because Jae-Ha is a jerk, not because he likes those fingers in his hair. Not just because of that. Jerk.]

If you're gonna do somethin' ridiculous, I've got a right to complain. [Even if he was just thinking about it, that's enough to count.] That's surely my responsibility.

I haven't once left your side.

[He says that like it's some defense for doing stupid things, or talking about doing stupid things. He's busy playing with Hazel's hair, taking this as a chance to lean further against him.]

If you want to feel a little responsible, I'm still a bit too tired to jump. Let me just rest right here... [He's leaning even more...]

[Ah, he's a big idiot. Hazel knew this, but it's a helpful reminder.]

Well, don't. [Stay with him and his whining, thanks. This leaning, though - ordinarily he'd take this as playing around right off the bat, but after all of the monster attacks and subsequent angst—] You're certainly alright, aren't ya?

[He's having a feeling, gross.]

[Oh... He was trying to make things lighter, and instead Hazel is worrying like this? He moves his hand out of Hazel's hair only to rest on the top of his head.]

I'm just fine. [He is a little tired, for some reason, but he's going to assume that's because he's not used to this shinki business. Later, he'll have to suggest that they do some for-real practicing on smaller ayakashi or something. Right now, though, he's trying to make things nicer, so... Back to joking, more clearly now.]

I'm only trying to find an excuse to press against you like this. Is it a bad time?

[Is this technically being called out? Leave his feelings alone. He'll look up now, just slightly so he doesn't lose that hand. Hmm.]

You're gettin' my leg all wet. [He says, sliding his other arm around Jae-Ha to pull him closer anyway. Sitting on the ground, wet leg... not as important as hugs. This worked last time, but how well will it work when he's having 8 personal crises and not just creeped out by Ukoku?? Better try and see.]

Only your leg? I'd say that's an improvement from the last time you got wet.

[Look, they haven't even fallen in. He deserves a reward. He laughs, because he thinks a laugh is what they need right now, and smooths his hand down Hazel's head, fingers running through his hair as he does. He's probably messing it up a little. That's fine.]

Do you want me to take us home, or should we stay here for a while longer?

[WHOSE... fault was that...!! Hazel manages a scoff and a nudge against Jae-Ha's back for his cruel callback jokes, but yes, at least no one has fallen in this time. Jae-Ha might soon deserve it, though.

Now, the difficult choice between sitting at a shrine to he doesn't know who or going home, hmm. Hmm!] Let's go home.

[He can keep messing up Hazel's hair in the comfort and privacy of their big house. But he will be lowkey monitoring that leg on the way, don't mind him.]

[He's sad their little walk was ruined, but staying home won't be so bad. Maybe he can lighten things up. They've already spoken for a bit, and he can only hope that's helped as well. For now, he can only do what he can, so he supposes that's flying and doing his best with keeping Hazel's chin up.

He squeezes him in that hug before he pulls back, moving just enough to slip his pant leg back down.]

Let's get going, then.

[Standing up, he extends a hand towards Hazel to help him up as well. Once he takes it, he'll change it quickly into scooping him up in his arms so he can jump off. It's a lot better than before, but he also starts just taking shorter jumps from the beginning. His stamina is so lame today. Maybe because all of their meals were ruined yesterday. Maybe.]

[They can take a walk another day... Maybe even later, a nice evening walk, but for now they ought to go home. Hazel still isn't entirely convinced Jae-Ha is completely recovered from the blight - he's had it himself, he remembers the way he felt sick from it on top of the pain.

Still, they make it home, and Hazel doesn't even comment on the shorter jumps. He's so considerate. Once he's finally on the ground again, he wastes no time in reaching for Jae-Ha's hand again to tug him inside. Gotta deposit this loser on a couch or something... wait.]

You're gonna have to change. [Ugh so is he, why do they keep getting wet!!]

[Well, Jae-Ha's pretty sure Hazel isn't over all of his emotions and worry, but he's also being considerate. They're both still affected, but they'll get past this just like anything else. So long as he just stays himself, and stays at his side, then that's fine, isn't it?

He follows along with the hand tugging, his free hand touching to his own chest.]

Did you want to help?

[He's joking and horrible, and that smirk on his face is too much. But he'll squeeze Hazel's hand as he heads towards the stairway.] Let's get comfortable.

[He's appropriate at all times.]

[This kind of emotional whiplash is why he's 85 at the young age of 20, jesus. His thoughts keep drifting back to his worry, yes, but now he has the mental image of undressing Jae-Ha to go with worrying? This is the real problem with being so inappropriate. Whiplash.

Time to go upstairs...]

You're pushin' it. [Pushing what... His self control, honestly, but. Here they are, innocently going up to change.] Don't take so long.

[he's needy]

I don't know what you mean.

[Ah, to be young and innocent... Not really. But it's his privilege, being older, to be able to tease him so mercilessly. It's his right. Smiling in a sweet way that's everything but innocent, he'll let Hazel's hand slip from his once they reach the top of the stairs.

Don't take so long, huh... What a baby. But he'll disappear into his room and change quicker than he could have, before he exits and sets off to find Hazel.]

[He's the worst and so is his pretty smile. Hazel needs about thirty seconds in his own room to trade slightly wet pants for new ones - he probably didn't have to change at all, but he's a whiner - and Jae-Ha can find him pretty quickly at the top of the stairs. He hasn't been loitering. This is a coincidence.

Anyway, he glances down at Jae-Ha's previously blighted leg again, as you do. Jae-Ha's upright and not falling over himself, so he's mostly placated.]

So, I believe I heard somethin' about gettin' comfortable?

I might have said something like that.

[He's just changed into some pants that aren't damaged anymore, and back into boots. This is just easier... Anyway, since Hazel clearly so kindly waited for him, Jae-Ha slides up next to him to link their pinkies.]

Come this way.

[Just like that, he'll tug Hazel lightly along downstairs towards the couch they seem to use most often. It's a nice couch, and he sits down easily before reaching with his free hand to touch Hazel's wrist of the same hand he's been holding. Come on, sit comfortably, however that is.]

[Pinkies... how sweet. At least Jae-Ha is feeling better, Hazel thinks idly as he's led back downstairs. He pauses at the couch, considering, but instead of thirstily crawling into Jae-Ha's lap again he goes for sitting sideways, like the other day. The thirst is there, but so is the needy child behavior...

Hold him closer, tiny hands-er.]

[He sure is a needy baby. But that's fine— Jae-Ha's joking aside, he can behave enough to know that what happened today isn't some tiny thing they can brush off. All of that hugging at the shrine... They could just continue it here.

So, he wraps an arm around him instantly to hold him close.]

Feeling comfortable?

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject