![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
IC contact
Zulius
You got Zulius. I'm busy being fabulous. Deposit hot goss here.
VOICE | TEXT | VIDEO | ACTION
 "un/finished")
|
TO:
SUBJECT:
|
code by
![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
cawaiicode by
cawaiicode by
cawaii
code by
cawaii
|
TO:
SUBJECT:
|
cawaii
no subject
It was easy by this point to find a lie in a smile.]
I... wanted to bring you something to eat. Have you had bento before? I was not sure what you preferred to have in them, so I made a few for you. I pray at least one is to your liking. [Some with noodles, rice, fish, various red meats as Takame often had a craving for them. Each one containing various vegetables because they could be carved to create a fine aesthetic. He wasn't good at that part but they did add some color to the packed meals.]
no subject
He lets out a soft oooh sound at the proffered food. The excitement, much like the smile, is a little forced, but it doesn't come from a place of mockery at least. He really is trying to be normal. He's just...not quite meeting the mark. ]
You know, I have not! These look pretty fancy- did you carve these yourself? Thanks, Babe. They look delicious.
no subject
He let silence fall between them for a moment. Eventually it would come to light the true reason he was here.]
I heard what happened from Rose. [He was sullen, eyes downcast.] You needn't speak any further on the matter... but I... I'm sorry I was not there to save you all.
no subject
Ah. Of course.
His ears pin back, unsettled, unhappy as he folds his arms. He knew it would only be a matter of time before everyone started talking to each other. Rose is still a rock of guilt in his chest. He knows she doesn't blame him for it, but it's there all the same.
But then there's feeling guilt of his own and he...should have expected that really. Of course, Takame would feel guilty about it. He's decent and good and a whole damn hero. He hates that the other man is doing this, though. He shouldn't even if nothing in the whole damn world would stop him and Zulius knows that. He shakes his head, small, slow. ]
You don't have to be sorry for anything. It wasn't your fault. None of us could get out of that thing, so no one could get in, either. That's not on you.
no subject
He forced himself to cease, taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly to steady himself. It worked to calm his tone but behind him his tail still lashed.]
I wish that I could do more for you, but this is all I am able to provide. You and the others... you have been through a great deal of anguish. If nothing else, I... I can see to it that you are well fed and able to rest without worry.
You are free from that place, standing before me alive. That is all I could ever want.
no subject
[He can see the tail lashing and he knows that means Takame is upset- understandable given everything. Zulius doesn't want him to blame himself for something so completely out of his control. ]
That's...that's not on you, either. They messed with our heads, too. It's what they did. They made us act like- well, not us. [He'd been so cold and clinical. Venti had really needed him back then and he'd failed him. He sucks in a breath.] I know you would've come if you knew. Me and Rose knew that. There was, like, zero question in our minds on that one.
[He grimaces at the alive comment, hugging his arms around himself a little tighter. He laughs but it's a hollow, tired sound. There's no actual humor there.]
...Yeah. Alive now, at least. I still don't know how- I mean, I know it happens. It happened to Moxxie twice now. But-
[But he doesn't know how to actually recover from that. He hasn't got a single fucking clue.]
The food helps. Seriously. Nice to know I can eat something that's definitely not been drugged by a bunch of shady-ass god worshipers.
no subject
Zulius had died too...
He turned his head away just to keep Zulius from seeing his bared fangs snarling. Who ever did this... would experience a fate worse than death if they were not already gone. Takame would have seen to that personally. He would have ruined them utterly.
He took another deep, deep breath. Counted. Let it out slowly. A second time, quieter. Less strained. A third, faster and easier.]
I... ["still didn't come for you all. I failed you." He shook his head.] I do not know how it works in this realm myself... but I am still glad that you are here.
no subject
Hey, it's- ... well, no, it's not okay. Literally, none of this is even remotely okay. But they manufactured that way. We were all forced into that...stupid fucking game they had going on.
[He tries another smile. It's more genuine this time but still strained.]
Yeah. I'm glad I'm still here. For a bit there I wasn't super sure we'd be sent back or not. At least you guys aren't denied my beautiful self, huh?
no subject
Still, he nodded.]
Indeed, this city would not be the same without your presence. [Zulius made a statement everywhere he went. He made his mark on this town and on a great many lives. However death worked in this realm didn't matter right now. His friends were back, that was what mattered.
And to keep them here, Takame made eye contact again. In his steely gaze and his next declaration there was an iron clad determination.]
No matter what happens, I will still keep you safe here. You and those you care for. I'll protect you, protect the Vogue so that nothing like this ever happens again. I swear.
["I will not fail again."]
no subject
Damn right! They're gonna have to cope with me taking a teeny tiny respite, but I'll be back at it before any of you know it.
[He just needs a week or two where he's allowed to just decompress and be miserable. Where he can just morn...himself. He isn't planning on staying away forever. Just give himself some time to not be ON all the time.
He'll maintain that eye contact, for Takame's sake. He knows that there was nothing Takame could do. He knows if this happens again, that's a good chance that Takame couldn't do anything then, either. But he can recognise that Takame needs to say this. Needs to feel like he's able to do something. So he nods. ]
I know you will, Takame. I never had any doubt on that one, okay? Not for a second.
no subject
Saying what he did would not change what happened. What may happen in the future.
But he had to. He so, so desperately wanted to hope.
To just convince himself... that he would not fail again. Even better, that there would not have to be an "again."]
Thank you for trusting me. ["... despite what happened" was left unsaid.] Please, if there is anything more you require inform me immediately and I will see it done.
no subject
Natch- I always trust you, Takame, you're family. [Simple as that, no arguments. It is what it is. You don't blame family for things beyond their control. So there.] I will, I promise. If you could make sure the theatre doesn't like...catch fire while I'm resting up, I'd appreciate it.
[Look, he figures if he gives Takame a TASK it might help. He knows how much Takame tends to throw himself into action when he's upset, after all. ]
no subject
It was enough that it pulled his own weak smile out. Still, with equal determination he gave Zulius another nod.]
Mm. I will do what I can to keep things in order. [Surely do the same with Cygnus as well, but Zulius didn't need to know how hard Takame would be overworking the next several days to a week until Yusuke and their Pokemon sit on him.
Something else, however, crept into his mind. Another lingering concern. For both his employer and Rose.]
Have... have you been alone this entire time?
no subject
Thanks, Babe. Just a couple days. Week, tops.
[It might be his perfectionism or his rampant need to insert himself in the living, breathing heart of his theatre, but he's definitely underestimating how long his healing process will take.
It's a good thing he doesn't know how much Takame is taking on- there would be words about that, sir. At his question, Zulius shakes his head. ]
Nah. Moxxie's around somewhere. Plus people drop by, I'm popular, y'know? [He jerks a thumb at a literal cask sitting in his kitchen with his name on it.] Ed dropped by that thing of rum from his ship that's probably crawling with 18th-century diseases, but it's the thought that counts and honestly, I'll take my chances given the current vibes I'm dealing with.
no subject
And you know what Zules isn't told won't hurt him. Takame didn't make a comment on the 18th century rum considering his realm is from an even earlier time than that when compared to this one. But also some of the bentos have citrus and other fruits, he won't get scurvy.]
I see. Good, I am glad. [Takame was relieved he wasn't alone but he went quiet for a moment.]
I am concerned for Rose. I will be with her as much as I am able, but she is still living within the apartments Zodiac provides on her own. I... want to find some way for her to leave or someway she'll not be on her own anymore...
no subject
The bentos are truly fortuitous in this trying time.
And ah. That's... worrying. Zulius doesn't like the idea of people being stuck in the Zodiac apartments. He's never stepped hoof in them, but they sound a miserable place, doubly so by trapping the residents into working for Zodiac to earn the roof over their heads. ]
She really needs to get out of there. Everyone does. I do not trust those guys as far as I can throw them. I'd offer her a space here, but I've only got the one bedroom, and I don't think she wants to live on my couch forever.
[Moxxie has his teapot, but he's not about to impose on this friend with another. Hm.]
Well, if she needs a little extra cash to set up a place outside of Zodiac, I can do that for her. Though that won't really fix the alone problem.
no subject
[He would still be there himself had Yusuke not insisted he move in after April. He did not expect Zulius to take her in, he didn't expect anything. He just needed to express his concern. He brought a hand to his chest, closing his eyes and taking a deep breath.
It came out as a soft but frustrated sigh.]
If there was a way I could do something... I will find it. I... I know not how, but I will find some way. And I will stay with her as much as I am able. Or find some way for her to... [He shook his head.]
Ah, forgive me. I do not mean to burden you with more... unknown variables when you've been through so much already.
no subject
But the thought of leaving his apartment leaves a heavy shroud of panic in his chest. He doesn't know how to process everything that happened so he can be okay again and do what he can to help the people who need him.
He hasn't felt this useless in a while.]
S'okay. It means a lot that you're trying. I get it. I'm worried too. I'll give her a call today, check in on her. Maybe in a couple days I can drop by, bring her a cake or...something.
[Can he force the healing process? He's sure there's a wikihow on that. ]
Anyway, it's not a burden if you're looking after your people, Takame. And...just keep me posted on the house thing, okay? I'll help however I can.
no subject
He knew he could not do everything, or could barely do anything. It was... frustrating. That was all. He was better at not showing it... no, he was a fool for showing it at all to his already exhausted friend. Again, he shook his head.
And from him came a rare insistence in his tone.]
She will be glad to hear from you... and I understand... but please. [He put a hand on Zulius' shoulder.] You need to rest as well. I will do all that I can for both you and her, but for the moment I must ask that you care for yourself above all else.
no subject
The insistence in Takame's tone does make his ears perk up, though. He's listening.]
Hah...I'm not the best at that.
[He can take care of himself just fine, but above everyone else? That's where things get...tricky. Self-involved as he is, his empathy tends to get in his own way there, sometimes. But he can see Takame is blatantly worried about him, so he acquiesces, raising his hands in surrender.]
Okay, okay. I'll try on that one, Babe. Thanks...for looking out. Seriously, it means a lot.
no subject
I... ["apologize, I spoke out of turn." No, that... surely that would upset him more to hear. Perhaps even anger him.] Mm. I understand.
[Heavens knew Takame was even worse than Zulius in regards to putting himself first.]
Try to rest as much as you can, then.
no subject
Which is to say it's wise Takame didn't apologise for saying what he needed to say.]
I'm gonna eat all this delicious food you got me and lounge on my couch watching a whole season of Drag Race and I shall nary move a muscle. [He makes a crossing motion over his chest.] I promise.
Try...not to stress too much, 'kay?
no subject
There is a slight tilt of his head at how he keeps hearing about this Drag Race from Zulius among others, if it was a race why would it drag on? Are they racing in Drag? That can't be efficient, they'd get their nice outfits messy. Mysteries, but the fact of the matter was Zulius would relax.
That was all Takame wanted.]
Mm. Alright... if you insist.
no subject
He pats Takame's arm a lil'.]
I do insist! I insist a whole lot!