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WHO: Sakuma & Open
WHERE: Heropa and Nonah
WHEN: All of April (except the 1st)
WHAT: Catch-all for the month
WARNINGS: TBD
NOTES: Brackets or prose, I'll match whatever you prefer. Closed starters in comments. Open prompts below the cut. Don't see a prompt that works for you? Feel free to write your own or hit me up so we can plot something specific together!


a. AFTER SCHOOL IS OVER
LATE AFTERNOON & EARLY EVENING DURING THE WEEK IN NONAH

[The irony of being exPorted for the entire duration of 'April Fool's Day' hadn't eluded Sakuma, but to say he found any amusement at all in the timing would have been a gross miscalculation of his patience. He recognized that he was fortunate not to have been absent any longer than he already was, and that he was more fortunate still to have made his way back to his friends' sides at all, but knowing the undue stress his disappearance would have caused both Kidou and Genda...

Well, he didn't feel very lucky. Instead, even though there was nothing he could do to change the past and there'd been no way he could have stopped the Porter from playing its tricks, he felt guilty. Like, somehow, he'd let down the two people who mattered most to him here in this world or even back home. They didn't see it that way, of course. Neither one would have ever blamed him for something that only the AI in the Porter could control, but it was a weight Sakuma nevertheless carried around with him the entire first day back. And yet, that same weight allowed him to appreciate the silver linings that miraculously still existed.

Having been Ported out on the weekend, he was given plenty of time to mentally readjust so that, by the time Monday rolled back around, he was no longer distracted at school and seemed, outwardly at least, as if everything was fine.

Which wasn't to say that his disappearance hadn't changed anything, because it had, but it was surprising to him that none of the ways that things were different were actually bad. They were simply...ways that he had to get used to, which seemed a common enough experience among imPorts, and one they each had to come to terms with on their own. And his method of accomplishing that was to keep busy and find ways to be productive in his spare time.

When he wasn't at school, working, or practicing his soccer, he had a brand new ability to get a handle on, and he couldn't think of a more discreet way to practice using it, or a better time, than on his way to the Porter in Nonah after school had finally let out.

He was cautious as he followed different people around, focused on keeping his distance and testing his range — perhaps even too focused. For he seemed almost to have forgotten that as an imPort, and as someone who's appearance wasn't 'ordinary' by any means, he still stood out more than he would have liked...]

b. SHOOT FOR YOUR GOALS
THROUGHOUT THE WEEK AND BEFORE DARK AROUND HEROPA

[For all the ways in which this world was awful, one of the most glaring and intolerable was its idea of soccer. The sport, insofar as Sakuma knew it, was teeming with life and energy, and while the soccer that people played here wasn't dead, it also wasn't alive in the same way, either. He was able to play with his peers at school, but he was constantly reminded of the differences in the levels of their abilities.

He had to be mindful of the strength of his kicks and, perhaps worst of all, he couldn't even use any hissatsu. The advantage his techniques would give him wouldn't be fair to the other players, for one. And for another, he didn't want to endanger anybody or ruin what fun everyone else found in such a simple activity.

Being forced to hold back wasn't simple, however. Especially when Sakuma remembered that he'd been about to take on the world with his team in the FFI tournament. Curricular soccer wasn't just a huge step down from that, it was a gigantic plummet into a pit that seemed bottomless, and not one he was convinced there was a way out of, either. At least, not as long as he remained here in this world. So few people from home were here, not even enough to make up half a team. But, depressing as that was, it wasn't any reason to let himself wither. Being unable to play his soccer at school didn't mean he couldn't play at all, or that he couldn't practice. And after the invasion of anachronisms last month, Sakuma realized now more than ever how important it would be to keep his skills sharp.

There were plenty of places to practice around Heropa, especially with its weather so much warmer than Nonah's had ever been. And so, when Sakuma couldn't be found in his own backyard at Heropa 032, he'd take to the park or to empty parking lots behind large plazas to practice individual skill and control, kicking around a ball summoned by a sound most people wouldn't ever expect to hear in the heart of Florida.]

c. OUT OF THE CONCRETE JUNGLE AND INTO THE ZOO
ANYTIME DURING THE DAY ON THE WEEKEND IN EITHER HEROPA OR NONAH

[Every now and again Sakuma behaved the way a teenage boy was expected, and while he never completely forgot about the things that worried him, he found it easier to give himself a temporary reprieve from worldly concerns when he visited the zoo. There, surrounded more by animals than people, or at least capable of tuning out the human ambiance, he seemed infinitely more at ease.

Unsurprisingly, he spent most of his time watching the penguins either from the indoor viewing area where their underwater antics could be watched more closely, or from a platform outside that allowed spectators to better take in the whole of the group as they waddled around or slid about on their bellies. When he wasn't there, however, he could be found observing any number of the sea life performances, contentedly watching puffins swim, polar bears play, or seeing precisely why everyone was making such a big fuss over watching animated movies on the new 4D theater.

He absolutely could not be found browsing through everything penguin that filled the souvenir shop, from mugs to postcards, key chains to hats, and t-shirts to plush stuffed animals.

...except he could totally be found there, quietly pondering to himself how much or how little he could afford to buy. At least, when he thought nobody he knew might be looking!]

Comments

CLOSED to GENDA

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[Every morning when Sakuma rises and heads to the kitchen to prepare breakfast for Kidou, Genda, and him, he's reminded of just how low supplies in their home have gotten. Between the establishing of their personal curfew, still needing to go to school, and needing to work in order to support themselves, none of them have found the necessary time to run any errands.

Or perhaps it's that they haven't even tried?

Following the still recent string of murders that occurred in Maurtia Falls and Heropa, the anachronism invasion, and his own temporary Port-Out, the idea of being separated for any length of time isn't one that seems to sit well with the trio. There was safety in being huddled together beneath the same roof, in hiding away from the world beyond their front door as often as they could while still maintaining an appearance of normalcy.

But how much longer could they really keep that up?

Sakuma knows and loathes the answer simultaneously. If they want something more than a scant helping of rice for dinner, shopping needs to get done today. And if he wants to talk with Genda when it's just the two of them, he'll find no better opportunity than asking the other boy to help him bring home items from the store. With Riku next door should anything go wrong, and Kidou still being able to contact Genda and him in case of emergency, he should feel more confident leaving Kidou on his own. But he doesn't. He still worries, knowing full well that Kidou won't use the time alone to get any of the rest he needs, but will instead preoccupy himself with things that will only increase his already too heavy burden.

Unfortunately, that's just how it has to be for now. Asking anyone else to intervene and watch Kidou would betray his trust, and if there's one thing Sakuma fears more than leaving his captain alone, it's doing anything that might further upset the relationship Genda and he have with him. Maybe once things are back to normal he can chance being more forward, but until then? All he can do is continue to be cautious.

After collecting his wallet and a light spring jacket, he heads to Genda's room and knocks lightly on the door...]

B

[matataku]

You're pretty good.

[The voice is gentle, coming from around the corner, hands in his pockets and bag slung around his wrist. Groceries for Ulvida, mostly, as she'd asked him to pick some up on his way home from the cafe he often visited to grab treats for her. It wasn't often he saw someone freely playing soccer--the game was popular, but not nearly as central to the world as it was in his own.

It was nice to see someone just as into it as he was other than Kidou or Ken or Ulvida. But of the three of them, he was the striker at heart, and knew most of all what it meant to be limited by this world's idea of soccer. Not being able to put your everything into a shot was almost painful, his heart just wanting to show his love through the sport as much as he could.

Soccer felt...hollow. He'd accepted it for what it was, but there was no denying that it was an empty shell of what it could be.

Brushing his red hair out of his eyes, he steps closer, the figure looking a little ...familiar. He knows this isn't someone he's played soccer against, but at the same time.

He knows that hair...that eyepatch.]

...

[A pause overtakes him for a moment, stopping him in his tracks.]

Are you...?

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[More important than being gentle is the familiarity of that voice.

At once, Sakuma recognizes its owner and, even before he successfully brings a vibrant red and white soccer ball to a halt at his feet and turns to gaze at the other boy, he's wearing a small, satisfied smile. It's impossible to hide how much he appreciates receiving that compliment because he's worked hard to get to where he is, but he's even more grateful to have found the company of another friend from home, someone he and the others can count on to some extent, whose soccer isn't so different from their own. Even if there appears to be things that Kidou is keeping from Kiyama, having allies is a blessing and a comfort.

Sadly, the moment he makes eye contact is about the same time that feeling of satisfaction slips away, too.

He's been warned about the time discrepancies the Porter causes and has even witnessed for himself what it is like to be drawn from a different point in time than his friends, but Sakuma hasn't prepared himself for being barely recognized or even borderline forgotten. It is a strange feeling being regarded in that way when, back home, despite not being extraordinarily close, he and Kiyama were still teammates, both of them players for Inazuma Japan. The sting he feels at that friendship suddenly seeming nonexistent is small but nevertheless persistent, lurking just beneath the surface of his newly neutral exterior.

Here they are, having to start all over again. It's yet another thing Sakuma can add to his growing list of reasons why he doesn't much care for this world — none of which are Kiyama's fault, of course. And it's for that reason he so willingly offers his name when it seems like that's what the other boy is reaching for.]

...Sakuma Jirou.

[As far as (re)introductions go, this isn't too bad a place to begin. All things considered, it could certainly be a lot worse.]

[matataku]

[There it is, small and comforting relief brought to his face as he hears that name. Kidou's friend from Teikoku. He'd met him all but briefly when they were gathering to be representatives for Inazuma Japan. But it had only been a greeting from afar, before they were thrust onto teams and forced to compete for their place in the FFI.]

Sakuma-kun.

[He doesn't bother with the formalities, immediately resorting to talking to him as if they'd been friends for years. After all, he may not know Sakuma very well, but he'd seen what Shin Teikoku had been, he'd seen how much pain the boy had been through. And to see him now walking with a strength he could only wish he had, it's admirable. It's worthy of his respect, and more importantly, a hopeful friendship.]

I'm sorry. I'd only known you as a competitor for Inazuma Japan's representatives. [His eyes soften, looking down at that soccerball.] I'm sorry for a lot of things, actually.

[He won't say it out loud, but his phrasing makes it almost unmistakable what he's referring to.]

But your form. You're a striker...?

Maybe a midfielder...

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It's alright.

[He shakes his head, not to dismiss the other boy's feelings or rudely reject his apology, but to imply silently that he doesn't believe Kiyama has anything to apologize for, not really. Whatever happened before...it's in the past now. Where it belongs and where it will stay. There is no reason for hostility between them, and no reason for anyone to make amends.

Besides, Shin Teikoku wasn't Kiyama's fault to begin with. Blaming him for what happened would be like blaming Genda or himself, or even Fudou. He knows they're all accountable for the parts they played, but...while he hesitates to call any of them victims, they were all being manipulated and used by adults who were in positions they should have been able to trust.

In any case, remembering that time, much less speaking about it, is something he prefers to avoid. It is, and probably always will be, a sore spot. One he's glad Kiyama offers him an out from having to discuss at all.

With a nod, he confirms the other boy's observation.]

Midfielder. [And sometimes forward.] You have a good eye.

[As expected of a former captain and anyone good enough to compete in the FFI.]

CLOSED to LAPIS

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[Penguins aren't the only creatures at the zoo that Sakuma loves to visit and watch, even if they are by far the ones that hold his attention the longest. As such, if one doesn't happen by their habitat or if he should happen to lose track of time, it's easy to miss that he was ever at the zoo at all. But some days he'll wander around and peek in on the other exhibits, particularly if it means not having to stray very far from any of the aquatic animals.

By now, most of the zoos employees are familiar with him, but there are always a few new faces depending on which day he has free to visit, and the time. And considering that he's still very new, having only spent one month in this world so far, it's no wonder he hasn't run into Lapis here.

And no surprise that when he does, his reaction is that of unguarded surprise. Infinitely quieter than the squawk he'd emitted during their first encounter, his sneakers still betray his presence as he comes to a sudden stop near the guardrail separating spectators from sea lions.

Maybe if he hightails it out of there fast enough she won't even know he was there.]

CLOSED to TEIKOKU

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[It's exhausting having to worry about so much all the time, and being so powerless to affect or change the worst things in their lives, but one thing Sakuma has the power to influence for the better are his teammates spirits. Knowing them like he does, he knows that both Kidou and Genda are overworked and underplayed. None of them have had much time for recreation lately, and they've spent even less quality time together that wasn't instigated by one crises or another.

Making movie night that much more necessary.

He'd gotten the idea after the Swear-In, but until now hadn't really found an opportunity to implement it. But with all three of them home at the same time, and the fridge and pantry both relatively stocked once again, it seems as good a night as they'll get to curl up on the sofa and forget about politics, war, and dangerous imPorts — by focusing on penguins instead.

After making some popcorn (a bag he splits into three small bowls, one for each of them) and corralling his teammates into the living room, Sakuma sets Happy Feet to play and takes a seat at one end of the sofa.]

he probably wishes it wasn't though tbh

[oceanthief]

[yeah, Sakuma, you wish. even when she's relaxed during her time on the clock, it's impossible to completely rid someone of thousands of years of paranoia; the sound of rubber screeching to a halt might as well have been a firecracker going off in terms of subtlety.

it's especially noteworthy since this isn't the part of the day when the sea lions were publicly fed, meaning that the passersby were few and far between at the moment. Lapis was only in the enclosure to set out some enrichment items, tasty fish frozen into large icy blocks to stave off boredom. she looks up as the last ice cube floats out from shore, mild curiosity quickly being replaced with recognition.]

Oh, it's you.

[thanks, Lapis. with a brief flap of her wings she scales the 'cliff' between them, the watery appendages retreating back into her gem as she perches on the other side of the guardrail. it'd probably be pretty cute if you were a person not completely terrified of her.]

Are you supposed to be here?

[the zoo can be a pretty active place, not to mention how intimidating some of the animals could be. she's wondering if he didn't mean to go somewhere else, and has just been wandering around terrified this whole time. it'd explain the sudden stop.]

there's no probably about it

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[Too surprised by the sudden sprouting and flapping of water wings, not to mention the way Lapis lands just opposite him on the other side of the guardrail, Sakuma doesn't have the presence of mind to be offended by her implication.]

I didn't know you could fly!

[As he takes a step back, more for propriety's sake than anything else, he wonders just how much else she can do with her weird abilities that he hasn't seen or even considered.

Which doesn't at all answer her question and, after a moment, he finally seems to realize this and stiffens a little indignantly.]

I have just as much right to be here as you do.

rip minty child

[oceanthief]

It's not like you ever asked me about it.

[which, considering the long string of demands and accusations he made during their first meeting, is really kind of his own fault. her wings are a point of pride - a sign of her wholeness - and she'd have been something approaching happy to show him.

...on the other hand, that might have given him a heart attack. it's tugh to find that line with Sakuma.]

Sure, but that doesn't mean you came in on purpose.

flushes you down the drain tbh

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Why would I have?

[Between her breaking one of the bathroom doors and threatening him with a big blob of water,
asking her whether or not she could fly hadn't even occurred to him, nor should it have! He was much more concerned about his safety — and that of his homework. Probably, even if it was likely, his teachers wouldn't have believed him if he told them an imPort drowned his assignments.

Although...it is nice to know that Lapis has more uses for her powers that aren't violent. Which isn't something he has long to be grateful for, not when she's insinuating that he's daft!

He makes a face. A very unimpressed face.]

I come here all the time. It's not my problem if you haven't noticed.

like you'd ever put me in a position that close to your butt

[oceanthief]

I don't know, you just sound like it's something you expected to know by now.

[which isn't doing very much for that theory of him being more than a little mixed up due to anxiety, but once again Lapis keeps that to herself. she's quickly learning that it's pretty easy to set this kid off, even when the words seem perfectly innocuous to her.

instead she kicks her dangling feet idly, processing his second response with little to no acknowledgement of his expression. it certainly doesn't factor into her thoughts at all.]

They haven't put me in charge of paying attention to the people who come here in a really long time. If you wanted to see me it'd probably have been faster if you just came to the house again.

you're right you're more suited to being washed down the driveway and into the sewer

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[How does he explain to her that he does feel like he should have known? While simultaneously feeling there was no way for him to know given the way that they'd met and the way he's avoided her as much as possible since returning to the house to pick up the rest of his things?

...good grief, no wonder they're always misunderstanding each other.

And quickly veering in the direction of another misconception, it seems! This time, however, Sakuma is happy to correct her as he shakes his head, steps to the side, and leans on the guardrail to look in at the sea lions.]

I didn't come here to see you. [Lapis pls.] I'm here to see them.

[The dark grey and brown blubbery lumps happily investigating the frozen cube of food that's been deposited into their habitat, while others bob whiskered faces in and out of the water and bark at each other. They're more like excited dogs than anything resembling cats, to be honest. It's cute.]

i mean if you want to turn that queen of the alligators urban legend into reality

[oceanthief]

Wow, really?

[it's kind of impressive in its own way how Lapis manages to take sentences that can only be interpreted as sarcastic and turn them into completely sincere sentiments. she leans back a little so that she can look at the sea lions as well - not because she expects anything different to be there, but because she just likes looking at them. they were so friendly and adorable.]

That must be really brave of you.

[she phrases it like that because she's really not certain, but it seems to be a reasonable sort of assumption. the aquarium's a little further back on the property, so he'd have had to navigate through the larger mammals to get here. maybe he did it piece by piece? it would explain why he'd been here so many times without her noticing.

Sakuma has papery skin, even for a human, so Lapis settles on the other gesture that she's seen used to congratulate someone. clap. clap. clap. the syncopated delivery of applause kind of ruins any sort of celebratory air, but she's doing her best. it's apparently very important to encourage this kind of thing in humans.]

hey look it u...! http://i.imgur.com/d2AxMQZ.gif

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Excuse me?

[Lapis isn't from this world, he reminds himself. She's not very familiar with human behavior and customs. She's kind of oblivious. And dense. But she doesn't mean for everything out of her mouth to be insulting and rude. And yet...the moment she begins clapping, Sakuma feels himself bristling like an angry cat. His shoulders hike upwards a little further with every smack of her palms together, and his good eye narrows as he turns to regard her sharply.

How could she not know how offensive she was? How could she be that clueless all the time?]

What are you implying, exactly?

i'm really sad it's not that sewer alligator gif from earlier today

[oceanthief]

[she claps a few more times before his second question rolls around, even louder, in an attempt to answer the first without demeaning him by having to explain it. Lapis knows this is a human celebration gesture, so for once she isn't riddled by doubts about whether or not she's latched onto the wrong thing.

unfortunately Sakuma seems determined to force a clarification of the obvious by asking essentially the same thing again anyway. well, it wasn't as if she'd ever prided herself on being the best at explaining things. the applause mercifully falls silent, hands settling gracefully into her lap.]

I'm pretty sure that's the kind of thing you're supposed to be proud of.

i thought about it but it seemed too obvious

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[She sounds...almost genuine. Enough that Sakuma stops and considers carefully everything about her from her posture to her tone of voice before he finally speaks again. More calmly this time, but with his attention returning to the sea lions.]

It isn't.

[Not for anyone his age, anyway. And the fact she seems to think it is makes him wonder if she has any idea how old he is? He's perfectly capable of being here on his own, of doing things on his own, and praising him for something so simple feels more patronizing than it does rewarding.]

Coming here isn't difficult. It's...relaxing.

[One of the sea lions splashes into the water and disappears for a few moments before, resurfacing near a particularly sunny rock, it emerges once again and emits a watery sneeze. Someone passing by Lapis and Sakuma giggles at the noise, but otherwise makes no comment and keeps walking, probably on their way to one of the other habitats.]

You work here, don't you? You must still do it because you like it. That's the same reason I'm visiting.

this is fair. i doubt there are too many gators dressed as royalty anyway.

[oceanthief]

I like it, but I'd keep showing up even if I didn't.

[she leans back on the rail a little as an odd expression settles onto her face. it's completely inappropriate for the conversation at hand, something caught between bitterness and a pensive sort of melancholy.]

It's smarter not to draw attention from more powerful things to yourself.

[her gaze wanders, settling on the bobbing cube of icy fish for a moment or so. a small unnatural wave forms in the water, nudging it out towards the center where more of the sea lions are frolicking. it's easier to focus on things like that.]

you're not wrong. but apparently there *are* some.

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[Of all things, the sudden change in her mood doesn't really surprise Sakuma. One thing he's come to expect from Lapis is unpredictability. Like the element that she has at her command, the very same one she wields now for the benefit of the sea lions, she is very capricious and likely just as hard to control.

Making it all the more disconcerting when she admits quietly that, even if she wasn't happy working here, she would still do as she was told.

It makes sense to him in some ways. Sakuma agrees that it's wise to avoid drawing attention to themselves. Any more than they already do being imPorts, at least. But condemning themselves to lives of unhappiness doesn't seem like it's very fair, either. They have rights, even if they aren't technically citizens of this country or even people belonging in this world.]

It's good that you like what you do, then. But if you didn't, you could probably change jobs without them caring very much.

[He glances sidelong at her.]

Unless...do you have reason to believe differently?

i'm both glad and a little concerned tbh

[oceanthief]

They brought us here to be weapons. It'd be stupid to think that they don't pay attention to things like that.

['jobs' were different on Homeworld. an assignment from the diamonds was the handing down of an iron will, as unbreakable as the gems who commanded it themselves. their power was what had forced her to earth to begin with, in addition to her unhappy return. to go against a task was complete betrayal.

the jobs they were assigned here bore too many similarities for Lapis to ignore. they'd been given directly from the authority which controlled the nanites in their bloodstreams, the things capable of tearing away the abilities that might empower them to resist at a moment's notice. who could say that they wouldn't take similar offense to simply abandoning their designated roles? it wasn't a risk that Lapis was willing to take.]

...I don't really have anything else I'd rather be doing anyway, so it doesn't really matter.

i've come to expect this from the internet

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[Although he hasn't been here for very long, one thing Sakuma is beginning see a lot of is a divide between those who believe the government is responsible for imPorts being brought to this world, and those who hold the AI inside the Porter accountable. Based on what he's read, and what information has been shared with him so far, he counts himself among the latter, but he doesn't believe for a second that the American government (and every other government, for that matter) consists of opportunistic people who would and will use them given the chance.

Lapis isn't the only one who feels threatened by the similarities that exist between the world she comes from and this one. Sakuma has been used before by someone he should have been able to trust, a man in a position of power who abused both things and endangered not only his life, but the lives of his friends and countless other people. And when Kidou and everyone else from Teikoku had defied Kageyama, he didn't give up and disappear. That man had come back...and he threatened to destroy everything they'd worked so hard to achieve. He hadn't even needed to lift a finger this time. He'd used what he knew about them against them...and they'd played right into his trap.

As he directs his attention back towards the sea lions, his hands tighten on the guardrail, mouth compressing into a frustrated and fine line. He came here to relax, but nothing about his posture now suggests peace of mind.

Kidou and Genda had both put in requests to move. And now so had he. Had they just painted targets on their backs?]

i mean, yeah, but guys.....

[oceanthief]

[intimately acquainted with despair as she is, it doesn't take long at all for Lapis to notice the change in posture from her companion. even so, it's several moments before she makes any attempt at a response, long enough for any rational person to assume the conversation was dropped.

the sea lions chase little fish made out of water through their enclosure, happy to play with Lapis' idle use of her powers while she sits in the middle of stormy thoughts. it's always such a painfully difficult thing for her to consider, the way her very being seemed to tear at itself. she hated to be limited, used, thrown away like something expendable yet again. at the same time, she could recognize that she was outmatched here. the government itself was as frightening as a pack of paper dolls, but that nullification...it made them very dangerous.

she could outrun them, without question. but Lapis doesn't know if she really wants to run anymore.

expressing empathy for anyone aside from Steven is a struggle that she still hasn't overcome; even when she has the will, it never seems to come easily to her. the watery fish twist and spin in the air some more, and still she remains silent.

when she does speak, her words are measured and her gaze remains steadfastly on the exhibit.]

They think they have a lot more control than they really do. That's going to ruin them eventually.

[beastfang]

[The knock is a bit of a surprise considering the time of day. Though, when he opens the door and sees Sakuma standing there, not only by himself but prepared to leave the house. That causes Genda to pause before the actual question he was going to ask can be voiced. Part of him has some idea of what this is about considering how much Genda had shifted to being in the background to allow Sakuma and Kidou time to settle around one another again. The invasion had likely stalled this, but it seemed Sakuma was ready to figure out just why there was this odd schism between him and Kidou.]

Sakuma.

[Despite it just being the other's name, Genda's tone and expression on his face tells more then his actual words. He knows this is overdue and that something has come up that would make the other feel that leaving Kidou alone even briefly was needed.]

[tacticianing]

[Movie night, regardless of what Kidou felt at the time, was absolutely necessary.

As Sakuma moves to put the movie in, Kidou stands at his side, arms folded, looking for all the world as if he had something to do with this idea coming to fruition instead of putting up mild protest until he heard the chosen title. As Sakuma moves back to the couch, Kidou's head follows him, quickly assessing things. Sakuma's taken one corner. Genda's likely to want the other one, of that he's almost certain. Being crowded was something Genda liked far less than Kidou did.

That would mean that Sakuma's selection leaves Kidou one choice only. He pads after him, coming dangerously close to flopping down on the center seat instead of sitting down more purposefully. If he'd been alone, he wouldn't even have made the effort to disguise it.]

It's been far too long since I've seen this.

[Despite his lack of energy level, he already seems cheered up by the idea. It's true - he could never get tired of watching this movie. Never. It might seem a little childish, but despite all the horrors this world had, Kidou found it genuinely comforting that they had this movie here, too.

And his original two best friends to watch it with. There's a lot to be said for that.]

[matataku]

[Those two words are enough to console him, rather avoiding speaking about such a dark time in his life at all. It's acknowledged, and thanks to Sakuma, addressed, and the relief on his face is noticeable. Piercing, sharp green eyes turn soft and gentle, an expression that fits to his face so much better than the cold grin he'd sported in Aliea.

He walks closer, staring down at the ball as a hand reaches to brush some of that messy red hair out of his eyes and behind his ear.]

It helps that I'm one myself. Your plays are very familiar, but have something distinct about them too.

Teikoku's soccer is so fascinating. It's very different from how I learned.