Who is in control?

[dejerate]

WHO: Yuichiro Hyakuya, OPEN
WHERE: Around, more likely Heropa but other cities as well
WHEN: August
WHAT: Yuichiro tries to pick up the pieces after the clone mess (even if he was not one of those cloned) and his reaction to the fires. Catching up with friends in some sort of reassurance/apology?
WARNINGS: None off of the top of my head?



Park:

[He's always enjoyed being outside. So it probably isn't a surprise, given his years of living underground, that Yuu is often seen and found around the parks, whether out for a walk, training a little in the slightly more open space, or playing with some of the kids that follow him around like ducklings almost. He does seem to avoid the fountain though. Not the best of memories when he was last there, after all, given his last talk with Nike.]

Library:

[He's....well. More book smart than he was, less illiterate than when he first showed up and went to class and all. So of course he is taking advantage of that and hoarding books. On orphanages, possibly business or such along those lines in running one, and vampires. Because he is still looking for an idea on how to fix things, to keep his promise to Mika to change him back to a human again.

Though more likely, he's going to accidentally trip someone with the small pile of books as he starts reading while curled up on the floor without thinking twice, given how crowded it is and all the seats seem taken. Or, they seemed to be when he started reading.....which was probably a while ago by now. Comment on the odd selection he has, tell him to keep quiet with his mumbling in frustration on how much of this is close to being understood?]

Apartments; Heropa:

[If he isn't out and about, Yuu can be found at home, in his apartment he shares with Krul and Mika. It's not the biggest, or the flashest, but they don't particularly care so long as it is a roof over their heads and is warm. He might be watching television, reading in his bedroom sprawled on the bed, or sitting at his desk frowning over some stacks of notes and books. If anyone wants a more private setting over the month outside of ic inboxes.]

[ooc: Also, I'm open to wildcards, if people just want to throw something up set elsewhere. I just figured this to start things off a little. feel free to pm or pp me if you want me to throw up a specific starter.]

Comments

library

[siriusly]

[the more Manabu studies up on law enforcement here, the more the sources online begin to converge on similar sources. he figures he ought to track down those tactile sources -- hoping the established book will give him the proper insight a few snippets on an article won't.

he glides his finger along the spines of the books he passes in the aisle, frowning softly. all the titles are bland, blur together...he is definitely not bookish enough for this endeav--

THUMP. his foot snags on the unseen boy's leg.] Wuh-!! [he staggers, having to jump over the rest of Yuichiro lest he go toppling over. a couple unsteady hops and Manabu aggressively snatches at the shelf next to him to keep upright. he freezes in place, breath held.

distantly, someone loudly goes SHH!

because it's a library. jeez.]

[dejerate]

[Thankfully, Yuu isn't so absorbed with his books that he doesn't notice the movement, or the noise, when Manabu approaches closer. And with his being a vampire, or, half vampire now, he's quick to react, ensuring the other is balanced and doesn't actually end up falling over.

But the other seems to be alright, thankfully not strong enough to outright break the shelf and cause the books to topple when he reaches for it. Yuu just rolls his eyes at the 'shhh' because he's more than used to being told off for a lot worse than making noise in the library. He hovers a little, his own book left on top of his small pile as he checks Manabu is okay.]

Sorry? You okay?

[He hadn't meant for anyone to get hurt, with his particular location and seating arrangement here. But he probably should have seen this coming, really.]

[siriusly]

[a beat longer and a stranger's prompt later and Manabu lets out his breath in a puff, face red.]

Phoo... [at least he didn't crush anybody. just...looks like he wrecked a little book fortress down here.

Manabu relaxes and pushes away from the shelf to stand on flat feet, his hand going to the back of his head in a sheepish reflex.] Je-jeez, I'm sorry...I definitely wasn't looking where I was going.

[he grimaces down at the little mess on the floor.] I hope those weren't stacked in any important order...

[dejerate]

I wasn't the most careful with where I ended up sitting either. It's fine.

[Given his speed, Yuu is quick to sort his own books then, once he is sure the other is fine and not in danger of falling and hurting himself. Still, now he glances around more at his surroundings, there do now seem to be one or two seats actually available. That weren't so before when he had first arrived at the library.]

But ah, looks like some seats are actually free now.

[So if he is quick enough, he could move there. Maybe.]

[siriusly]

[Manabu starts to shuffle out of the way, his heel bumping the spine of one of the book-victims of the book tower. he steps backward once he's looked back to make sure he's not going to crush anything underfoot, then squats and picks up the one he'd bumped.]

Eh-? [he looks up, missing some of the remark, but there's gesture and a gaze to follow to fill in the blanks.] Oh-- well... Well, let me help you move some things. Are... [blink.]

Are all these books...yours?

[dejerate]

No. I mean I have a few at home that I paid for but these are the libra--ah, I mean. Yeah. Though probably it'd be easier to take these home to finish since I doubt I'll get through them all before the library kicks me out when they close.

[He is getting better, with help from some friends having tutored him through his classes here and all. But Yuu is still a slower reader. Literacy and school having never been a huge priority to him or necessarily having access to it all the time with his particular past.]

[siriusly]

Well, yeah, there's... [five or six? did he miscount?] More than I could read in a month right there. Wow. You must be a fast reader...

[he turns the one he picked up over to have a peek at the cover. self-run businesses?]

Huh... Are you studying to open a store?

[dejerate]

I'm really not. I just figured I'd make a start and take the rest back home with me that I don't get through.

[Rounding it all up sooner in the day just means he isn't then rushing to find what he wants before the library closes later. Basically. Though that doesn't stop him looking sheepish. Others might look for the books in question and see they aren't out on loan or anything yet, but he hasn't gotten in trouble for it.

Let alone the question on his reading...]

Ah, that's -- I was thinking of looking into helping an orphanage or something. I had one that took me in as a kid, back home, so.

[Not that he is sure it might work out. Given he is a vampire now. Mika too. If anyone would trust them that much.]

[siriusly]

Eeh, really? [he's surprised. and a little impressed! this kid looks...well. like a kid. so it's a pretty ambitious-sounding goal.

orphanage, huh?] Aa, have you visited any of the ones here already? I know someone who works at one already...it's not a bad place.

library

[ghoulking]

[ the library (well, ALL libraries) is one of Kaneki's favorite places. as someone who reads a lot and enjoys teaching - and wanted to be a book editor and studied literature - kaneki is always surrounded by books. Even his coffee shop!

so finding him there won't be surprising, carrying his own pile of books that he plans on checking out to read through the days he has been holed up in his room, hiding from everyone. Last month was a mess and Kaneki is just not ready to face anyone.

But that is about to change, of course, as he suddenly trips on Yuu's books. His own drop, but at least Kaneki doesn't fall, immediately apologizing ]

I'm sorry, I didn't see you-

ah. [ he recognizes the boy ] Yuu-kun.

[dejerate]

Hm? Ah, Kaneki! Hey!

[He's quick, of course. So he's able to catch the books Kaneki himself had been holding, reaching his other hand to potentially steady the other in case he needs it. But Kaneki himself doesn't lose his balance that much, thankfully. Yuu almost looks a little sheepish as he hands the books back to the other, free hand rubbing at the back of his neck, mussing up his hair a little more.]

Sorry. I just couldn't find a seat before....

[And then got distracted with his research. Obviously.]

[ghoulking]

[ kaneki takes the books with a small "thank you". Honestly, he didn't expect to find someone, hoping to just continue his hermit life for a while longer, but he can't just dismiss Yuu, even if he feels horrible and chit-chatting is the least on his mind.

But he is polite, and Kaneki is also very set on ignoring his own feelings all the time, so he smiles ]

What are you reading?

[dejerate]

Hm? Ah, just a little research.

[Though by now, after so long, he's probably close to reading the entire library's collection on anything to do with vampires in his search to keep his promise to Mika. To make him human again. Still, Yuu is determined and stubborn enough to keep looking yet. To keep hoping.]

Though I'll probably figure more on the orphanage research than with helping Mika.

[He sighs, running a hand through his hair.]

What about you?

[ghoulking]

[ kaneki tilts his head curiously. ] Orphanage? [ why... is he interested in that? Yuu, please don't adopt any child, like what are you thinking? ]

Hm, just trying to find new things to read. [ not that important, honestly ]

[dejerate]

Ah, y-yeah. I mean. I was taken to one after my parents...I figured here, I might have the chance to help out at one or start something to help kids here, maybe.

[If he would be allowed at all. Given his recent transformation and all. But it is something he is looking into. He knows he can't just scoop ice cream forever. Especially now, during the day, in summer. But it is true that he is still a minor himself yet. For a few more months until his next birthday, anyway.]

Well, whatever you chose is probably more interesting than my selection so far.

[ghoulking]

[ kaneki smiles a little and nods softly after ]

That's good. And I'm sure the kids would love to have an hero helping them, too. [ people here don't really care about transformation most of the time. Plus, imPorts are sold to kids as the heroes they ought to look up to, so for sure they'd love for an imPort to take interest in trying to help them ]

[dejerate]

I'm not as worried on the kids themselves. More everyone else? That and figuring how to go about this. Back home, I never really thought on what else I might do, besides joining Guren in the military.

[That had been it. His goal. Getting revenge by joining the army to help fight against the vampires. But here, he has other options. It's worth looking into, at least. So he figures he may as well try. Whether or not something comes of it, exactly.]

park

[drizzle]

[After taking care of the last of her business for the rest of the day, Nike can be seen in the park, wearing an outfit that would hide her identity as best as it could. Ever since her clone had made such a mess of things, Nike knew it may be the last time she'll be allowed to roam Heropa freely, at the very least until the next emergency emerges, but until then she was stuck in keeping a low profile.

It was too difficult for her to find the courage to venture further than her the tv station and park. They were still safe avenues for her. She didn't want to have difficult memories of the city she was in. After all, she had friends who lived there and forgotten moments she may have forgotten too. Whatever they were, she didn't want to have a sour outlook of it.

There was a lot on her mind when she doesn't notice her feet was guiding her to the destination she needed to be in -- finding Yuu. Which isn't too hard to find when he has hoards of young ducklings trailing behind him while he trained at a safe distance. It was his grunting that will catch her attention. Odd, how that works.

Whatever the case, she was watching alongside the rest of the kids, even taking a seat on the ground to not seem like she was out of place. Her attention will be on her friend, watching him closely while listening to the fun commentary from his smaller fans. It was more than enough to make her laugh at certain points that one comment may get repeated by the other kids loud enough to hear "Bedhead! Good one!", "It's so cool!", "I hate brushing my hair!", and everything else similar to the topic of hair.]

[dejerate]

[He doesn't immediately notice her. More focused on his training and all. But it doesn't take long before he can't help but notice her with the way some of the kids get louder when talking to her, her obviously taller stature even when sitting down, when surrounded by the kids. That distinctive red hair.

But....hadn't she said she wanted to 'end it'? He's not sure what to make of it. It does cause him to pause, to stop with his training and glance over, trying to school his expression to a neutral one but he probably doesn't entirely hide the confusion and surprise there all the same. That saying on wearing one's heart on their sleeve is rather an apt one where Yuichiro is concerned, at least.]

Nike....?

[drizzle]

[She was so distracted by the kid's antics that she may not notice the moment his expression took a more surprise or confused one. It isn't until he is standing a few feet from them while the children begin to grow even more ecstatic that Nike will notice Yuu got distracted.]

Oh, sorry, were we too loud?

[The other kids will begin to grow even more excited at the idea that the girl on the ground knew their hero so well. Some began to bombard them with questions, in which Nike will chuckle and simply decide to answer their own questions in the best way she knew how -- rise her hand to Yuu in greeting.]

Hey! Long time no see, huh? I didn't expect to find you here, but I guess I shouldn't be surprise all things considered. [To be honest, she was more surprise to not find Mika close by at all.]

[dejerate]

Ah, sort of. But it's okay. I guess I just wasn't expecting to see you here either.

[He'd been distracted, plus figuring maybe if he gave her some space that might help things between them, at least for a little, before he tried to get in touch with her again after that. But she almost seemed to be acting as if nothing had happened.]

Did you want to talk? They can go play for a bit.

[The kids, he means. If she wanted. They...probably should, right? Take this chance while they were both here. At the least, she evidently isn't outright avoiding him, if she sat down to watch for a bit before he even noticed her presence.]

[drizzle]

[Their small talk was enough to convince the children over their relationship being that of good friends. The questions will be less as they watch the scene between them. Nike will be left slightly perplexed by his wanting to talk without the children around. Normally, she figure, he would've taken a seat next to her, and had entertained the crowd a bit before playing, but it wasn't the case now. Her attention will turn to the disappointment of the kids, who didn't want to leave, so she gets an idea.]

Hey? Which one of you guys has a soccer ball and lives very close by?

[One of the children will raise their hand, and even point in the direction they live at, in which Nike in turn will say.]

All of you, I have a top secret mission, are you willing to listen?

[She'll ask the kids to act like the other kid's bodyguards in guiding him to and back at the park with the soccer ball. If they can successfully get back without hurting anyone, then they'll play a game of soccer with them. The suggestion was enough to get the kids to run off happily at the idea in playing with Yuu. Once they were gone, she'll return her attention to him.]

Okay, now we can talk. [With a weak smile.] What's on your mind?

[dejerate]

[Yuu simply listens, letting her convince the kids to go find a soccer ball for them to play with. It's as good an excuse as any to get some time to themselves. Not that he is sure how long this might take. That it would probably be better suited for somewhere more private. But without the kids around, they are apparently alone.

Which means Yuu is freer to attempt to put up his walls some in defense, in instinct, as he glances over to watch them leave, racing each other.]

I....saw you earlier, last month. You said you didn't want to see me anymore. That's why I didn't expect you to show up here.

[Or, if she did, that she would flee the other direction. Not sit and watch him. Not be willing to be alone with him like this. Not after that.]

[drizzle]

You saw me...?

[Had she even seen Yuu the previous month before the whole mistaken identity ordeal? She remember getting a visit from Mika to her house, but not much else. As Yuu continue to explain himself, Nike will feel cold at his explanation.]

What? I would never say that!

[To never want to see him again. That doesn't sound like her at all! Not to Yuu, no less. She wouldn't cut her friendship with him for nothing in the world. But instead of saying any of those thoughts into words, she was more curious to know.]

Tell me more about that meeting we had last month. Start from the beginning. [A beat.] ...please?

[dejerate]

You...ah, okay. [It was kind of hard to not be at least vaguely aware that there were clones running around, earlier. It could mean people getting away with things, but....part of him knew, even at the time, that something seemed wrong.]

You sent me a note to meet you at the park. By the fountain. So I did. And then you were saying how it hurt that I hadn't told you about...about going through with Krul's offer. How you didn't want anything to do with me because I was a monster, because I abandoned you in favor of Krul. And Mika too, I guess.

[He gives a sigh then, raising a hand to rub at the back of his neck, gaze lowered as he explains. Really, Yuu couldn't blame her, or anyone, for not being so comfortable with him anymore since his transformation. But up till then, Nike hadn't shown signs of anything being different, her yelling at him for being reckless and keeping that bottled up aside, anyway.]