pancakeboy | ic inbox [ota]

Oh, come on.

[It's not news, though his tone might be tellingly whiny. He vividly remembers his conversations with Ren at the party; both of them. And he remembers how fucking strange future Ren had been.]

You know I'm altering his past when I return. That guy won't ever exist, and nor will anything going on in his head. [Assuming it was only in his head.]

You're assuming he doesn't already feel a spark. All I'm suggesting is that you leave yourself open to the possibility.

[Still, Crow's tone is rather relaxed, all things considered. He suspected a response like this might ensue.]

He "feels a spark" for someone he knows is meant to shoot him dead in less than three weeks?

[Ugh. It's not funny any more. And he hates anything that suggests possibilities other than death.]

Have you finished your coffee? [He'll leave his. He really wants to kill something.]

It is entirely possible for him to view you with more nuance and understanding for your circumstances than you give him credit for.

[But after Crow takes one last sip, he nudges the cup aside.]

But I digress. We were supposed to eviscerate Shadows...

You read my mind. [He's already on his feet.] I'm supposed to be elevating your mood, not bringing it down.

Shall we go?

[Nuance. Come on! You can have all the nuance in the world, you can have nuance for years, you can eat, breathe and shit nuance till you die, and it won't change the fact that some things are unforgivable. He knows nobody who heard the poison he laughs into Shido's ear, or the way he hung on the man's every word, would see him the same way again.]

One of these days I will find a way to convince you that, yes, even you are worthy of love and that restorative justice is a very valid approach.

[It's said with an oddly whimsical tone as he rises from the table and politely pushes his chair in.]

But yes, let's go. It's been a little while since I last dared to venture to Mementos.

Scared of the big bad Shadow?... Actually, that's probably wise, isn't it.

[They aren't far from Ginza Station. They can head out of the door and practically be there. Magpie glances back.]

He was wrong, you know. It's not cognitive murderers you collect. It's windmills to tilt at.

I was trying to be a responsible oniisan.

[Look at that dashing smile. He remembers that. It may be a light tease, but not a malicious one.]

And I still disagree that it's a collection. That you both share that thread of commonality is coincidental to my attachment.

[Oh, he hesitates just a bit, glancing back.]

Wait. I'm the oniisan. I'm older than you.

You are now, but you were twelve. I wanted to ensure you were given a safe, stable home, and that meant fewer Metaverse escapades.

[It's one thing to have intimate nights with his boyfriend. It's something else entirely to fight through Shadows and return in an exhausted state.

Nonetheless, despite the playfulness to his smirk, it's not a lie.]

[Suddenly, he feels lonely for his futon at the Dojima house, whether it mysteriously ended up next to Raven's for everyone to climb into or not. So, of course, he turns on his heel with a bit of a smirk of his own, sharp and supercilious.]

Well. I admit to wondering what would have happened if I'd managed to awaken over again. If I'd taken the hand of your gas station attendant, for instance. Perhaps I'd just have woken up.

It might have been fun. [And it would have lost him an opportunity never to return. But there's Ginza Station, not a hundred metres down the street.]

Perhaps it would have, but it is what it is. Your younger self will surely find his own way, and now that you're back, we can have our own manner of fun.

[Fun that might not have been as appropriate for a younger kiddo, at that.

Crow tries his best to match Magpie's pace. It certainly has been a while.]

Oh, and by the way, there was a Santa Mara here. Horrifying sight, to say the least.

Edited 2024-01-03 03:37 (UTC)

[He pauses, on his way into the station.]

Is this about what you got up to on Christmas Eve?

I won't give all the details, but it approached me while I was... preparing and gave me some interesting product. I'm more concerned about why Igor allowed a phallus to masquerade as Santa Claus, however.

[Because, really. That's just... indecent. Very, very indecent.]

[In the station foyer, he already has his phone out; his finger is poised over the blue of the Meta-Nav. He meets Crow's eye with repressed excitement, not seeming too interested in sex.]

Maybe he just thought you'd like it. Are you ready?

Edited 2024-01-06 12:17 (UTC)

Naturally. It'll be good to get back into shape.

[He jests a little, but it has been a little hard to make time for training in the Metaverse.]

[The veiled excitement in his fact blooms into a wicked grin.]

Then we should begin. Let's hope you haven't used yourself up.

[And, with a swipe of his finger, the two of them cross into Mementos. He arrives in the black crow suit, of course.]

[Crow assumes he'll be in his pristine, princely attire, as it's his most comfortable default.

But no.

Clawed gauntlets? Check. Ridiculous belts? Absolutely. Very pointy mask? Yyyyep.

Crow takes one look at himself and his fists clench up.]

Are you fucking kidding me?

[Oh yeah. Turning to him, Magpie starts to laugh aloud, through that narrow hole in his beak.]

Something on your mind, Crow?

I have no idea why I'm in this outfit...

[Okay. Time to take slow, calming breaths. It's just an outfit. It's going to be fine. This isn't the end of the world.]

[...and yeah, the laughter doesn't last long. Crow has too much going on in his head for that. Magpie considers him, head a bit tilted, birdlike as ever.]

It does seem a little odd. I wouldn't have thought you had more complaints than the last time we were in here.

[0dd thing to say.]

Perhaps it truly is a culmination of recent events.

[Sighing heavily, Crow shakes his head and readies his beam saber. At least that's unchanged.]

I suppose there's nothing to do but to press on.

[He is eyeing that laser sword. His own sword, very different, is still tucked away.]

Where do you want to begin?

[That sharp edge of smile begins to creep back. Higher, deeper, faster, slower? Harder, even.]

I'll let you choose.

[Less brainpower that way. Perhaps Magpie would even prefer it that way with how stressed Crow's been.]

[That smirk of his acquires about three new edges, all at once.]

Really, Crow. Next you'll be asking me to push you under the trains.

[... toward which he is heading, taking the first elevator down to the platform. Crow will remember the time he rode the trains with Raven.]

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