maskormenacelogs | my ghostly shadow (closed)

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my ghostly shadow (closed)

WHO: Mitsuru Kirijo, Shinjiro Aragaki, Akihiko Sanada
WHERE: De Chima #1
WHEN: Before the Soviet takeover
WHAT: Senpai OT3 reunion
WARNINGS: None!

[Mitsuru double-checks the address she's been given. This is the place, after all. Her motorcycle parked in front of the house in the street, she takes off her helmet and shakes her hair free, running her hands back through it to untangle some of the knots.

It's silly to care much about her appearance, she realizes. It's never been one of her priorities, and these two know her better, and for longer, than anyone else. Someone who'd seen their early battles against Shadows wouldn't care much about wind-messed hair.

But it's not every day you get to see a dead man again. At least, not back home.

Mitsuru hangs her helmet off of one of the motorcycle's handles, approaches the door, takes a breath and knocks.]

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[The sound of a motorcycle coming up to the house is fairly distinctive- especially for a (relatively) quiet imPort neighborhood. The only question it raises is if Mitsuru arrived with her bike, or if she had already managed to get herself a vehicle here.

Either one, Shinjiro wouldn't be particularly surprised about.

So he gets up at the sound of it, hands unconsciously moving up behind his head to grab his hair together, drawing a hairband off of his wrist to at least bunch it up and a bit more out of the way. As he walks to the door, he'll call out:]

-Hey, Mitsuru's here.

[She might be able to hear him call back through the door, though it's but a moment before he opens it and takes a step back for her.

Not that he really knows what to say. 'Hey, I'm alive' never exactly gets much easier. So as always, the words get ignored and shoved aside, and he'll opt for casual neutrality about it. After all, they'd already spoken about that on the network- no need to drag unnecessary feelings into this. So he'll let his head dip in a short nod in greeting.]

C'mon in. It's cold as hell outside.

[He's heard she's back, and the motorcycle kind of tips him off to the visit too. Did she already get one of those upon arriving here? He even smiles at himself a little thinking it, she sure worked fast, but that was Mitsuru for you, even with all her planning, he cut right to things. Maybe too, he's smiling at the chance to actually see her again. They were close before, not Shinjiro close sure, but closer than he was with anyone else really. Even at school they were often thought as a pair, and with good reason.]

You heard it too? I can't believe she's here. No- finally here. Heh. [Another smile, leaning his elbows on his ankles and watching Shinjiro get up before standing up himself and putting a hand in his pocket. He had been in the same room as him actually, the tv buzzing, though he turns it off once Shinjiro calls over to him.]

It's been a while... hasn't it? [For all of them... and was Mitsuru from before or after... everything? He's not sure he wants to get on the subject right away, normally, he would. But these days... he'll just wait a bit more into the room, staying at a stand and waiting for her to step in. Seeing her again... he's still interested though, even if he won't ask when, if she's changed at all. It was obvious the both of them have. Shinjiro was still himself, but he looked a lot healthier now, and Akihiko's sure he's gone up a few boxing weight classes since putting all his time into training. Was she going to be different enough to notice? Or would she be the same girl he remembered.]

[He's the second dead man she's seen in the flesh since coming here, and she hadn't fallen in love with him. Still, seeing Shinjiro alive and walking is certainly a disorienting experience, and Mitsuru catches herself staring for a moment before she smiles politely and steps inside. She's wearing a leather jacket with fur on the collar, but Shinjiro's right. It is cold.] Thank you. You... look well, Shinjiro.

[It's true. He doesn't look as grungy, as unhealthy, as he had back home, before his end. He's even cleaned up a bit. She, meanwhile, probably doesn't look a day different than the last time either of them had seen her.

Akihiko's voice makes her look over at him, and her shoulders relax slightly. At least she didn't have to worry about the dissonance of seeing a dead man with him. He's the same as he ever-- wait, no, now that she looks closely-- Mitsuru frowns.] Akihiko, have you put on weight? You're much... broader than I remember.

[Now that she looks at it, he's got a more defined jaw. He looks... older. So does Shinjiro. Mitsuru suddenly has the very odd sense that she's lagging behind.] That's right. The two of you have been here for... two years, wasn't it?

Close to that, yeah. [Though he won't comment on her notation of his appearance- having a home and getting back into a regular hygiene routine does wonders, after all.] And don't point that out to Aki- it'll go to his head.

[Not that she's wrong. The guy certainly hadn't stopped his training since arriving here.]

You gotten settled in alright so far? [It's an idle question as he moves out more to the center of the room, leaning back against one of the arms of the couch... mostly as there's a massive, snoozing ball of fuzz taking up most of the actual cushions..] I ain't familiar with Maurtia Falls, other than hearing it's kind of sketchy in some parts.

[Sure will, Shinjiro. He actually smiles at Mitsuru's comment, stepping closer and stopping again with the usual cock of his hips.]

Yeah, it's been a while. Good to see you again Mitsuru. We might look different but wow- you're really just like from back then. [Smile fades, but not for any reason aside from how short lived his smiles usually were. It was sort of better to see her like this, like she was. Nostalgic, even if being nostalgic usually wasn't a positive thing for them. Or maybe it was just nice to see her at all.]

You're in Maurtia Falls? [Hearing Shinjiro's comment. He has more interest in Maurtia Falls than most would think- well aside from Shinjiro. He knows by now that Akihiko spends a lot more of his time there than he should.]

There's a lot to do there, if you have the guts to look. [And he knows you have the guts- nooot that he thinks she's up for looking for trouble any time soon, with how everything here has been going lately.]

Yes, I am. I haven't had the chance to explore too much of the city, though Iori lives several houses down from me. [She answers smoothly and calmly, trying not to be unsettled by how subtly different the two of them look. Depending on how they've been counting their ages, they might be pushing 20. And here she is, barely 18.] For me, "back then" was days ago, Akihiko. It's only to be expected.

[She notices the monstrosity of fur on the couch, but before she can ask what that is, what Akihiko says catches her attention. And she frowns.] ...please don't tell me you've been street fighting.

[Got it in one, Mitsuru. But Shinjiro knows better than to get involved in that one- either by outing Akihiko, mentioning that it wasn't exactly in the streets or even taking his boyfriend's side to try and defend it. Discretion, valor, et cetera. So instead he'll be preoccupied with her first comment, and shrug a shoulder.]

I still need to meet up with him, too. Maybe I'll come check the city out with you guys this weekend, or something.

[Shinjiro Aragaki, actually offering to spend time with someone. Try not to be too taken by surprise there, Mitsuru.]

...Then again, I dunno if I'd want to spend a whole day with the guy. Might be better to just get the whole team in on it instead.

Days.

[DAYS. He pauses at that, glancing down for a moment. A more somber expression settles into his face thinking about it, how much closer she was to everything going on... And even though he opted to not ask-

Akihiko lacks in tact. So.]

First I have something to ask. What do you remember last? What was going on for you "days" ago?

[Yeah lets start quick on a dreary note. But he's always been head first when it came to getting things out of the way.]

[She's about to answer Shinjiro-- to point out that both of them had, in fact, neatly evaded her question-- but Akihiko's question is pointed and important. Her face turns to stone, and she takes one glove off, then the other. She's been told they know, but saying it aloud still seems disrespectful.

So she glances at Shinjiro, and then fixes Akihiko with a cool look.] It was March.

We'd just graduated from Gekkoukan. [And Minato died.]

[He's quiet, considering that. He doesn't know a lot of the details of what transpired after his death- never wanted to, really. It's not a future he'll allow himself to even consider mattering. But he knows the basics. They managed to end the Dark Hour, albeit months after they'd originally planned. Early the next year, as opposed to in November. Minato passed away because of it, but had help out long enough for Graduation.

It was enough to go off.]

-So Minato being here's throwing you, too. [-Especially if they'd been dating, as Minato had mentioned. He'll keep that part quiet, though. Especially since he'd been dating six other girls, too. But hopefully the comment is enough to convey the fact that they know.]

Shit. That's a rough time to get yanked over here.

[Akihiko's understand was about the same as Shinjiro's. Very general. He knew as much as he wanted to and that was fine for him for now. He knew he'd learn more later, that he'd experience it all himself. So he'd rather focus on the present right now, on what he has here.]

[His own expression doesn't really shift at her words but he does glance over to Shinjiro for a moment to get a read on his own comprehension of it. Seems enough... so then back to Mitsuru.]

How much have you been filled in about here then? It seems like enough to know we're here and where we live. But what else? You've never been the sort to let anything get past you, so I'm just asking.

[She averts her eyes when Shinjiro brings up Minato, stuffing her gloves in the pockets of her jacket. There's a level of vulnerability she allows herself when she's around these two that she doesn't permit around anyone else... except Minato. But even then, she's spent so long teaching herself to be strong that it doesn't cease easily.] ...yes. I assumed that his presence here was... some kind of cruel trick, at first. It seems the emotional wound is still very fresh. [She says, quietly.]

[Akihiko's question provides a welcome change of subject, though.] I... suppose I should ask what anyone might ask two friends who haven't seen her for two years.

How have you two been?

[ 'How have you been.' A really simple question, sure... but given everything that's happened, it's hard to figure out a concise answer. She was right- it had been a long time, and in it, there had been a hell of a lot to work through- from the point they'd arrived, so freshly after his own death, to everything that had happened since.

It would be easy to brush the question off with a comment that they were doing fine- and likely insulting. So his arms fold and he stares down at the carpet for a moment with a sigh.

He didn't want to die anymore. That was a highlight. And probably one of the top things he didn't want to talk about. Concerned about Mitsuru's mentions of a Dark Hour here, tired of the constant politics of the world and imPorts, uncertain about whatever future there might be here or back home--]

Been hanging in there. There's always some shit or another happening here, so it's not like we ain't kept busy. Hell- I dunno where to even start on that.

[A pause, and to Akihiko:] We should've put together like- a summary, or something.

Like he said, but it's more than hanging in there. I've been doing my part to keep ready for anything which is something you need to do here. It's not like back home but it'll kick your ass if you're not ready for it.

[A glance to Shinjiro and he just smiles at those words, nodding his head down for a moment.]

People show up and leave, and for the most part come back. This world is in a cold yet growing active war, and for a while we had a lot of issues with anti-imPort groups. Aside from that, we're all pulling through. [Said as looks up again, and it's Mitsuru so, he feels the need to let her know- a hand comes up and clamps down on Shinjiro's shoulder, gripping tight.]

He's giving you his usual attitude, but don't let him fool you. Things are going better than all right, especially since- well. [A smile, his expression growing more fond.]

Since Shinjiro became 'my guy'.

[All in all, it's much of what she's expected. There have been anti-imPort groups. The war is growing. It's dangerous here, albeit in a different way from Tartarus back home. There's nothing much surprising in what either of them say.

That is, until the end.

Mitsuru blinks, staring at Akihiko and Shinjiro as if they'd just told her they'd been Shadows themselves. She can't have heard that right.] ...I'm sorry, come again?

[An exasperated huff, and he stiffens slightly at the firm grip on his shoulder, glaring at Akihiko. It's not as though it's a secret-- but it's hard to ever feel like it's the right time to suddenly say 'Oh, by the way, we're dating.' Granted, she had asked how they'd been over the time here, but...]

-D'you really think this is the time?

[Barely, there's a tinge of pink to his nose and cheekbones, but it's nothing he'd deny or get truly embarrassed over. Especially since he'd found out most people had just kind of assumed they'd been together since day one here. But that doesn't mean he's any more comfortable with talking about himself or the things that matter to him.

Back to Mitsuru, he gestures uselessly with a hand. Of course she would ask and it would bear repeating. of course. As he speaks, he glances down self-consciously.] Ah... just what it means. An old housemate've mine assumed we were dating, so we figured...

[Congratulations, Mitsuru, this is likely the most awkward you will ever see him.]

[A small laugh of his own, lifting that hand off only to shove at Shinjiro a little instead, perhaps harder than he means, but that's per usual.]

We'd give it a try, yeah. That was over a year ago. I figured you'd probably want to know.

[Since you're sort of one of his closet friends after all.]

[And while Shinjiro seems awkward about it, Akihiko really couldn't be anymore cocky about it. He seems pretty damn pleased with himself.]

[What. What the hell.

First of all, Shinjiro is actually blushing. Shinjiro, the young man most likely to spit in the face of authority of anyone she's ever met, is actually pink in the face. And Akihiko is dating him. Shinjiro and Akihiko are dating. Her two oldest friends are dating.

There's no mistaking what was said. There's no supposing that she'd misheard them. This is frank, and explicit, and... Shinjiro and Akihiko are dating.

There is obvious shock on Mitsuru's face.]

[But... now that she thinks about it. Akihiko and Shinjiro have long been close, haven't they? And while back home she and Minato had started something of a relationship, neither of them had ever in all the time she'd known them demonstrated any interest in seeing anyone else, of any gender.

And to be here all alone (or close to it) for two years...

She crosses her arms over her chest, her shock turning to a slightly self-sure smile.] The more I think about it, the more sense it actually makes.

Really, now that I think about it, I'm more surprised it didn't happen sooner. I suppose congratulations are in order...?

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my ghostly shadow (closed)

/slams into this embarrassingly late

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