thenearshore | [closed] | Of flimsy excuses and flimsier explanations...

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[closed] | Of flimsy excuses and flimsier explanations...

Who: Ronald Knox and Kimihiro Watanuki
What: A flimsy excuse to see someone again
When: May 16, late afternoon
Where: Around places (specifically Akihabara then we'll see where we go from there)
Summary: Because someone A owes someone B a new phone... and that's always an excuse to see someone C, right? Details.

Demon wrangling had been what put nosh and a pint on the bartop back home. At least that was the case during a bad day. Ronald's encounters with demons were few and far between. If a reaper did his work properly, they'd never have to see one in their afterlife. The aftermath of it wasn't exactly something he ever thought he had to deal with. At least until today. Sorting fruit with Horikawa and his shadows in the morning, bustling about town in the earlier afternoons -- but at least he had time to make himself decent before heading off again on one more errand before the day was over. Compared to all the hard work, he had every intention of taking it easy for the rest of the day. Maybe he had kind of looked forward to this, at least that's what that niggling thought at the back of his head was telling him.

Showing up at GwanYin's temple through his shadows was becoming something he was more than used to so maybe that helped. But he was at the door roughly five minutes after stepping out his own door with a box of fruit under his arm. Thankfully he'd gotten used to transporting things along with him through his shadows otherwise carrying around said crate would have been trouble. He paused to knock, shifting the crate and fumbling with his shirt and vest to lightly tug the creases out. Even if this was just supposed to be a simple thing, there was no reason for him not to look decent, right?

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He hadn't been preparing for anyone to come over that day, so when he heard the knock Watanuki glanced to the door with a confused expression on his face. He wondered, briefly, if he needed to prepare tea for his mysterious guest, but while he contemplated he walked, getting to the door and opening it up to see--

"Ron-san," He stated, and he suddenly realized he was in his soft little mint-colored sleep yukata and--

"AGH!"

And he slammed the door shut.

"I'M NOT DRESSED!"

The minute the door opened he'd opened his mouth to speak but promptly shut it the minute the door got slammed in his face. Right then. That was unexpected.

Briefly, Ronald wondered if he should have texted first.

But he set the box down if only to adjust his tie ever so slightly. "D'you mind if I come in at least? Harvest just came in and I've been running about town that I hadn't the time to come by 'til now." he called.

There was the thundering of footsteps and a 'FINE' from what sounded like down a hall. Another door slam.

Finally, Watanuki emerged in something different than the yukatas he'd been seen wearing; a dark blue cheongsam with match pants and a pink lotus across the chest, and gold hemming. He peeked out, as if checking to make sure the coast was clar, before emerging, heading back down the stairs and to Ron.

"Sorry about that." And he cleaned his throat. Back to his godly countenance.

"...Hm?" And he glimpsed at the box curiously. "...What's this?"

He didn't bother opening the door, instead reappearing from the other side. But Ronald had more tact than to just invite himself in. Instead, he stayed where he stood to wait. Of course, he couldn't help but tilt his head slightly with a small appreciative smile. How Watanuki managed to look good in anything was beyond him. But the some people had that sort of charm.

With another shift of his shoulder, he held out the box. "Harvest came in." he replied, showing off the selection of peaches, plums and cherries his shadows had picked out. For fruit from death's garden, they looked deceptively good: the peaches were plump and pink, the cherries no shade darker than wine red. The plums' firm skin held back its delicate aroma that peeked just beneath the surface. "Hori'n the lot spent the morning picking and packing. I'd asked for some to send out. Too much fruit for us to have on our own so we'd thought to share the bounty. If anyone'd appreciate a lot of fresh fruit, I'd wager you would."

"I could make Jade parfaits!" He exclaimed, and he reached out to take the box. "These look amazing!" He looked positively pleased, his face made of smiles.

"Thank you! I'll make sure to make you something as well. I could make a pie or cobbler, if those sound good to you. Oh, unless you don't like cooked fruit! Then I could do a fruit salad or like a mentioned, a parfait." And already he was thinking of things to do with the new addition to his food supply.

He couldn't help but grin despite himself. "M'glad you like them. If this becomes a seasonal thing, I'd be happy to come over with more." the reaper offered. "Bit surprising that there'd be so much, really! And that they look that good, eh?"

But then a pause as a stray thought crossed his mind. "Right... ah, that reminds me." Ronald hummed. "Was about to head into town again. Still owe Jade a phone from the last time. So..."

"D'you... maybe want to come with me?"

He set the box down in the kitchen... before glimpsing over to Ron.

"Oh--" There was a pause. "All right, I'll come with you. I wanted to go and buy a yukata to replace the one I had to tear." There was a small pout on his face, brows knitting. "I really liked that one, too..."

Flimsiest excuse in the world, he knew, but eh. It got him results.

He did manage a grin back, stuffing his arm in his pocket before turning on his heel. "Unless you've plans tonight then that's alright too. Either way."

"Day's hardly over though and it'll just be for a bit."

"I didn't have anything planned... oh. Let me leave Jade money for dinner in case I don't get back in time." And then he was shuffling, in his wallet until he laid down some bills on the table, and a note in very neat handwriting, and then turned to him. "All right, let's head out then.

"...Where would we be going? Akihabara?" He was glad they were all still in Japan because at least here he knew things. IF he had been like Jade and ended up in a different world (not that Jade remembered)... he wouldn't know what he would have done.

"To be honest, I'm a bit surprised Jade hasn't started to question you about what we've been up to." Ronald laughed softly as he turned to walk.

"Yeah. Akihabara's where this bloke pointed me toward. Prolly the best place to find a replacement without breaking too much bank." he mused softly, tilting his head as he opened the door just the smallest crack to cause a rather deep shadow behind it.

He watched his curiously. He had yet to really get a sense of the shadow thing--he just knew it saved their asses and he vaguely remembered it... and he had seemed to disappear so quickly the day after...

"Jade is the type to stay out of someone's business unless he wants to be there." But he had a feeling the shinki thought the business of his god, unless it had to do with their purpose, was something that was "off limits". He rather liked keeping it that way, for now. He was filled with too much confusion to give proper answers if he was questioned.

"Are we... going through your shadows?"

"Bit faster'n just walking. Wager I could get us through to the shopping district rather'n appearing at a closer shrine." the reaper answered with an assuring smile as he tested the door.

That was certainly dark enough. Sure, the last time he tried to take three of them in, it had wasted him but he's been practicing since then. Maybe two would be easier.

With that, he held out his hand. "Coming? Or taking the old fashioned way?"

Watanuki looked to his hand, then back up at him.

"...Okay. Let's try it out, then, I guess..." Weird supernatural shit was just part of the norm now, wasn't it? He'd just about learned that he'd never have a traditionally normal life. Weird shit just kept cropping up every day. He supposed to everything he'd seen, traveling via dark shadows was tame. He took Ron's hand, and it felt oddly warm. He tried to ignore the feeling.

With that the reaper linked their fingers before taking a step back and gently tugging the other god through the shadows with him. There was a brief moment of piercing cold again and they were falling for a half second before firm ground began to materialize beneath them. Ronald took that step, moving to hold Watanuki against his chest as they 'landed' to steady him. As he straightened, they emerged from the shadow of an alleyway.

"There we are." he said, finally releasing his hold. "Everything alright?"

His equilibrium as thrown off as they traveled. Cold, then falling, then floor and he was miles and miles away. His stomach and brain caught up to him and he felt slightly nauseous. When Ron held him close, he gave into it, leaning against him for a moment while he rid himself of the dizzy spell that came over him.

"Whoa," He said slowly. "I'm fine... we traveled so fast, though...!" He was still leaning against him. That was fine, right?

"Took me a bit to get used to it, really. Should've seen me stumbling about when I first gave it a go." Ronald chuckled, staying still and keeping that arm around him for as long as the other god needed to find his footing again.

The reaper loosens his grip however, allowing Watanuki to pull back whenever he felt ready enough to. "Brilliant though, innit? D'you see why I've picked it over walking when I'm needed somewhere?" he grinned. There was a light rub of his nose at that. Poor thing couldn't quite help but show off a little.

"It's pretty amazing. I don't have any kind of power like that." Well, that he knew of yet, anyway.

He straightened up, finally steady again, sliding out of Ron's arms. The young god let out a faint sigh.

"If we don't get Jade the same phone or better he'll complain about it during inconvenient times." He waved his hand, as if he could shake it off.

"Let's take a look around, then."

"That's another bit I noticed. S'like not every god's got the same ability. Even if I could do it, you prolly couldn't while there's something you could do that I couldn't." the reaper mused, folding his arm behind his back as he motioned with his head to start walking. There didn't seem to be too many people around but it was clear his tip-off was right. There were several electronics stores, some of them having visible sales with marked down prices. A matter of good timing.

There was a soft chuckle though as he turned his attention back to Watanuki. "He's that sort, inhe? Bit of a picky bloke?"

"He's not picky, he just.... likes to make my life a nightmare if it would amuse him." He crossed his arms, letting out a sigh. "...But I can't say no to that stupid face of his." Stupidly good-looking.

Again another snicker. He just couldn't help himself sometimes. "Pardon my saying but you look the sort who's got a bit of a soft spot for the right manner of stupid face." he grinned back,

"I can't help it! You look like you need someone around to keep you in your place," Was the response... which meant he was one of those stupid faces.

"Come on. We should look around and see who has the better deal." There was a pause... before he reached out and snatched Ron's hand, yanking him forward.

"Hang on, m'not that much trouble!" the reaper laughed back. "Sure, I've had me share but... m'not that bad."

He willingly accepted that hand, stumbling slightly as he was tugged before righting himself. "I'll leave it to you to find something similar to what he had, then"

"It's more fun to shop when someone else is paying," He teased, looking back to Ron who was trailing a little behind him. "...But don't worry, I'll help you pay for it. It...

"It's kind of my fault that all this happened." His smile fell a little. "...I really messed things up."

There was a shake of his head even as he gripped that hand in his tighter. The reaper took the opportunity to step closer, offering him a smile back. "How many times do I have to tell you, sweetheart? Ent your fault. None of it was." he sighed, linking their fingers. "Couldn't be helped, what happened."

"I'm thinking of asking around to see if there's anyone who's skilled with a polearm of any kind." All too naturally, he found his fingers lacing with Ron's as they headed down the street. "Jade's been trying to teach me, but.... he's not exactly teacher material." He looked over to Ron.

"If I have to fight ayakashi I can't just keep going in blind... I have to worry about Jade too." It wasn’t just about himself anymore... was it ever? He thought back on home for a moment. He really missed....

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