the day's been quite full of many things - plans finally starting to set into motion, many new personalities and problems to face, so much potential about to spark and set off to who-knows-where, that wanderlust thrumming in the blood... Manabu's heart's been pounding nonstop all day for this and that! and for...you know, someone in particular, too.
fear born out of care makes the heartbeat hurt when navigating the wishes Ryunosuke has to set out with him into the unknown, but it's tempered a little by Kazuma's wisdom to trust. trust them, at least, even if he can't trust the world to be fair. even if his want to be the good officer, the protector, makes it tough...
time at the Gate helped, surprisingly: that worried ache was overridden by the thrill of the moment, of wonder in watching Ryunosuke gracefully, masterfully draw a bow and mark targets both idle and moving. maybe it's bad that Manabu didn't expect it, but more's the excitement to see it happening before his eye.
there's a different kind of thrill, too, in being coaxed to give the bow a shot; Ryunosuke's voice at his ear speaking encouragement translates to a bit more by the way goosebumps prickle down his skin, even in the midst of sparking and steaming. he just gets him in some kind of way, you know? that means a few missed shots before even remotely hitting a target. embarrassing as that might be, it's...it's fun. fun and encouraging enough to spur Manabu to turn the tables and have him take a turn trying his hand at a pistol.
Ryunosuke may not have to do much searching for shared activities, huh? speaking of which, back to the now, because now is...also novel. Manabu's not gone to a hot spring since...since just before the nightmare - an odd lull before the storm of change in his life. he'd not been very cozy there either, his mind itching with concern for being idle when there was so much work to do. instead of work, however, right now he's just...y'know... sharing a bath with Ryunosuke...!! if the water wasn't already warm, the heat emitting from Manabu would surely help that.
funny, that, though: when he lifts his arm out of the water, he can see the patterning of frost forming close to his veins. coldblood is so strange, it--]
-!!
[when he hears a door slide open, he submerges to his nose just out of reflex, owlishly blinking around before recognizing the form. he slowly lifts his chin up, gulping.]
[ It was thrilling to pick up his bow again. He missed the feeling of notching an arrow and releasing it to strike its target. It wasn't just because Manabu was watching either. Tiem flew by as he showed off his skills, grateful that it was going to help alleviate some of his worries about going on this grand adventure. He wasn't entirely unprepared for such an undertaking, despite the fact he's been in a more academic setting recently. What he was woefully unprepared for were the emotions that welled up in his chest. There was a thrill in having Manabu watch him, something he couldn't quite touch as he drew up against another target.
Coaxing Manabu to give archery a try was also quite fun. The way he sparked as he helped him position his body, the steam that rose up from just simply helping him learn how to draw back the string taut - it was all rather endearing. He thinks it's rather cute that Manabu is more outwardly nervous, while Ryunosuke is internally nervous. Everything is still new, and tentative. Their relationship is still in its infancy, but it's joyful. Something he's sure he'll reflect on later when he's not still enjoying his time with the other.
He slides the door shut behind him, back in the present, grateful he was able to wash before joining Manabu in the hot spring.]
Hey. [He smiles, dipping his foot into the water to gauge the temperature before he slides in. He sighs into the water, enjoying the heat as it soaks his slightly sore body. He's only a little out of practice, thankfully, not enough so that he feels he can't make this journey.] I hope I didn't keep you waiting long. [He says as he leans back.]
[it's unclear whether or not Manabu remembered to breathe in the span of time it takes for Ryunosuke to wind up at Manabu's side, but either way, Manabu feels a little burn in his lungs in the next breath. slowly, he sits up out of the hunch he'd dropped into, if only to keep eye level and not dare let his gaze wander - that's indecent! or something.]
Mn. Yeah, you...you said there were onsens back in your world, right?
...yeah, also yes. though he's certain he's not doing this right; someone always has something to say about him not relaxing properly.
because he doesn't. but hey!! he's trying.]
Strange that...it kind of looks like a place I went to before. The captain of Vega Platoon's parents ran a hotel off on a planet that had all four seasons, so...so I wound up there on leave with the rest of our platoons. It was like this, but. But snowy.
I mean seeing something familiar like this must be a good thing, right? [He draws one of his legs up to his chest, wrapping his arms around it.] What's it like seeing different planets?
[Though the fact that Manabu went on leave was surprising, he had a feeling it wasn't necessarily planned, or without some objection.]
I've barely seen the Earth, so I can't imagine going to other planets.
[He's been halfway across the world and only seen a handful of places.]
[with a feeble laugh in his voice:] Y-you should've seen the view from one of those portals! The ones from a couple weeks back? Kazuma and I lucked out and caught a glimpse of Big One! [he looks away sheepishly, shrugging his shoulders up.]
One day...I mean, hopefully. Connecting this place to the Railway might be a real longshot, but...but it'd mean seeing other places. You could go, too.
Kazuma got to see? [He's actually envious.] I saw the portals but I didn't really... I was more distracted by the moths. [He admits with a sigh.] That must have been a sight! I'll have to as Kazuma about it.
[What could he have possibly seen? What world or was it space? He wonders what the stars look like beyond Earth.]
You think so? [He smiles.] If you think it's possible, I'd like that.
Why not? [He rubs the back of his head.] It could be a lot of fun! Seeing what's out there beyond the stars... it's just science fiction where I'm from.
A fantasy that hasn't been realized. We haven't even mastered flight.
[his mouth quirks in a little smile, charmed by that perspective.]
I-it's still kind of a fantasy even where I'm from. I mean--not that it can't be done, but... [he ducks his head briefly, then looks up skyward.] More that...no matter how many times you're out there...it feels like you're a pioneer. There's so much of it out there that we'll never know, so...
Yeah? I can imagine that. [He finds himself looking up at the sky, really wondering what it would be like. What was out there?] It's strange how massive the universe is and we may never know what's all in it.
Still, it must be amazing getting the chance to see it all. You must have so many wild adventures that you could tell me about.
I-if you like! Of course. [his smile takes on a sheepish quality; he's always been one for talking up the railway more than himself, but as for himself, that's a different matter.] My platoon...we've all gone through some crazy stuff together. I mean- maybe...not as crazy as what happens here sometimes, but...it definitely still counts.
[at least in talking like this, Manabu isn't as hyper-aware of their states of undress, or the way his skin periodically prickles with goosebumps before warming over again in the midst of conversation. he's long forgotten the constellation marked on his chest - something he'd spent a few minutes fussing about prior to climbing into the water, even! go figure: he can have a nice time and not be all up in his own head with unease.]
You know you're always welcome to tell me stories about where you're from. [He points out, resting his arm on his knee.] I mean I'd love to hear more about your platoon, and what sort of things you got up to.
[Really he wants to know more about Manabu. Everything that he's willing to share. He feels like he's done an awful lot of talking. Does Manabu know more about him and his friends than he does of Manabu? He hopes that this quiet time together may help shed some light.]
I mean you could tell me anything and I'd enjoy listening. [He grins.] So tell me about a wild adventure you had.
Okay, um... [he looks upward thoughtfully.] Lemme think... There was...when I first joined, falling into the Time Knot... Or the ghost train... Or that weird kid who stole my partner's memory... Or that time this old lady thought I was her son and made all my teammates do chores for me...
[he'll just keep rattling off things until Ryunosuke cuts in to pick one.]
[He can't help but snicker at the last one, because really. Some old lady managed to bully his teammates into doing chores? That must have been quite humorous, but he manages to cut in before he rambles much further.]
Ghost train?
[Sure this sounds like he's asking more about it, but Ryunosuke doesn't really do too well with ghosts. They're just scary, okay!]
[ghost train, huh? Manabu looks back with a lopsided smile. Mako zeroed in on that one, too; must be something detective-y law-types hone in on first? or just a sign of the kind of company Manabu's drawn toward.]
It was...more weird than spooky. I mean, how did a train full of ghosts even happen? And why's it on the official Galaxy Railways registry? [his shoulders shrug up.] I have no idea! But we had to investigate a platform where this young woman's brother vanished from, claiming he was chasing after his late fiancée. Turns out she was right...
[he lifts his hands out of the water to gesture.] It was a real, glowing train! Manned by a standard Railways conductor machine man and everything. Me and Louis -- aa, one of the members of my Platoon, Louis -- we managed to catch a ride on there and find that guy. It was really full of ghosts!
So it was an official train for the Galaxy Railways? [He looks perplexed. How could a ghost train have an official registry?] That is weird.
[But then he starts talking about the ghosts he pales a little. He doesn't like the idea of ghosts, and the idea of being haunted. And considering Japan loves their spirits you can imagine how he deals with stories of that nature.]
S-so you and Louis actually rode the train?! Was it dangerous? [It sounded terrifying, actually. Going through a mysterious train filled with ghostly passengers with no real destination in mind.]
[Manabu, who hasn't glanced the alarmed look on Ryunosuke's face yet on account of looking upward as he recalls, hums a thoughtful sound.]
Mm...I think it might've been if we stayed. But we weren't there for very long. We found the man, got off at the next stop and met up with the rest of the platoon. Aa-! [now he sees the look and hastens to wave off the worry.] But, but it's okay! We got out safe! And got that guy back to his little sister, safe and sound.
That's a relief. [And he looks less worried knowing that they were able to get off the train safely and able to reunite siblings. Sounded like it wasn't as scary as it sounded, but he's pretty sure if he was stuck on a ghost train he'd be pretty terrified.]
I'm glad you were able to reunite them. [A pause.] Was... his late fiancée actually on the train? Or was it just something he conjured in his grief?
[Not that he blames him either way. Losing someone so close would be difficult for anyone. He understands, at least a little bit.]
[Manabu hesitates, his expression growing more somber as it lowers back down, watching the dappled reflections of light on the water.]
Yeah. Yeah, she was there. She...was going to keep him there, even if it meant him dying, too. Until she realized...that wasn't fair. To him. To his sister.
So I think...she's going to stay on that train for a while. Maybe...until he's really ready to meet her there.
[...]
Come to think, I...I don't know how anyone gets on a train like that. That is, I didn't...see anyone I knew there, who likely could've... [his brother. his father.]
I hope that they can be reunited one day. [He smiles a bit.]
Yeah? I was going to ask that... I'm almost glad you didn't see anyone you know. I can only imagine that it would have made it difficult to leave.
[Leaving a loved one behind must have been difficult for that man to do, but he was reunited with his sister in the end. A happy ending in its own way.]
Would you have wanted to see someone on that train?
[he hesitates, shooting a brief glance Ryunosuke's way before his gaze drops again.]
I'm...not sure I would. Want to see them there, I mean. [a beat.] That is--unless...they were happy about it, I mean. Father and Mamoru...both worked on the railway, too. So...if they wanted to be able to keep doing that, protecting people? Then, maybe, but...
[he shrugs his shoulders up, glimpsing the murky reflection of the constellation on his breast just briefly before the water's too disturbed.]
I don't think it would've been really good to see them there.
[Ah. He could understand that. He likely wouldn't want to see his family on the ghost train either. Especially not really knowing their fates and why the train wanted them to begin with. Really the train itself offered up more questions than answers and who would want to be stuck on a train in the afterlife?
There was the grim thought that those who died on the train were destined to remain but he pushes that aside.]
Sorry, I didn't think this topic would go this way. [A rather grim one for a hot spring affair.] Are you all right?
[Because thinking and talking about the death of family members...it's not easy and often it just brings up memories that he may not necessarily want to think about. Ryunosuke certainly doesn't want to talk about his own dealings with death in that regard, certainly not when they're supposed to be relaxing.]
[Manabu startles a little at the sound of an apology, sitting up straight as a board with eyes big, both hands coming up and shaking a little.]
A--i-it's nothing to apologize for! Sorry! It's not like you'd know this or that about the story or...or all those things in the past. [he starts to ease up a bit with a bit of a confused look.] Though I...I guess...you'd know eventually, right? Just by merit of, um...this... [he points back and forth at each of them sheepishly.]
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more SOFT !!
Date: 2022-06-07 01:54 pm (UTC)the day's been quite full of many things - plans finally starting to set into motion, many new personalities and problems to face, so much potential about to spark and set off to who-knows-where, that wanderlust thrumming in the blood... Manabu's heart's been pounding nonstop all day for this and that! and for...you know, someone in particular, too.
fear born out of care makes the heartbeat hurt when navigating the wishes Ryunosuke has to set out with him into the unknown, but it's tempered a little by Kazuma's wisdom to trust. trust them, at least, even if he can't trust the world to be fair. even if his want to be the good officer, the protector, makes it tough...
time at the Gate helped, surprisingly: that worried ache was overridden by the thrill of the moment, of wonder in watching Ryunosuke gracefully, masterfully draw a bow and mark targets both idle and moving. maybe it's bad that Manabu didn't expect it, but more's the excitement to see it happening before his eye.
there's a different kind of thrill, too, in being coaxed to give the bow a shot; Ryunosuke's voice at his ear speaking encouragement translates to a bit more by the way goosebumps prickle down his skin, even in the midst of sparking and steaming. he just gets him in some kind of way, you know? that means a few missed shots before even remotely hitting a target. embarrassing as that might be, it's...it's fun. fun and encouraging enough to spur Manabu to turn the tables and have him take a turn trying his hand at a pistol.
Ryunosuke may not have to do much searching for shared activities, huh? speaking of which, back to the now, because now is...also novel. Manabu's not gone to a hot spring since...since just before the nightmare - an odd lull before the storm of change in his life. he'd not been very cozy there either, his mind itching with concern for being idle when there was so much work to do. instead of work, however, right now he's just...y'know... sharing a bath with Ryunosuke...!! if the water wasn't already warm, the heat emitting from Manabu would surely help that.
funny, that, though: when he lifts his arm out of the water, he can see the patterning of frost forming close to his veins. coldblood is so strange, it--]
-!!
[when he hears a door slide open, he submerges to his nose just out of reflex, owlishly blinking around before recognizing the form. he slowly lifts his chin up, gulping.]
Ouh, he-hey...
[there's that heart skipping again, hoo boy.]
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Date: 2022-06-11 08:39 pm (UTC)Coaxing Manabu to give archery a try was also quite fun. The way he sparked as he helped him position his body, the steam that rose up from just simply helping him learn how to draw back the string taut - it was all rather endearing. He thinks it's rather cute that Manabu is more outwardly nervous, while Ryunosuke is internally nervous. Everything is still new, and tentative. Their relationship is still in its infancy, but it's joyful. Something he's sure he'll reflect on later when he's not still enjoying his time with the other.
He slides the door shut behind him, back in the present, grateful he was able to wash before joining Manabu in the hot spring.]
Hey. [He smiles, dipping his foot into the water to gauge the temperature before he slides in. He sighs into the water, enjoying the heat as it soaks his slightly sore body. He's only a little out of practice, thankfully, not enough so that he feels he can't make this journey.] I hope I didn't keep you waiting long. [He says as he leans back.]
This is nice. [The whole day was nice.]
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Date: 2022-06-11 09:27 pm (UTC)Mn. Yeah, you...you said there were onsens back in your world, right?
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Date: 2022-06-12 06:03 pm (UTC)[It's not like he could afford to go to the hot springs often, being a broke college student and all.]
It's nice they have one here, isn't it? [He chuckles lightly, glancing over.] Strange, but nice.
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Date: 2022-06-12 07:24 pm (UTC)...yeah, also yes. though he's certain he's not doing this right; someone always has something to say about him not relaxing properly.
because he doesn't. but hey!! he's trying.]
Strange that...it kind of looks like a place I went to before. The captain of Vega Platoon's parents ran a hotel off on a planet that had all four seasons, so...so I wound up there on leave with the rest of our platoons. It was like this, but. But snowy.
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Date: 2022-06-12 07:54 pm (UTC)[Though the fact that Manabu went on leave was surprising, he had a feeling it wasn't necessarily planned, or without some objection.]
I've barely seen the Earth, so I can't imagine going to other planets.
[He's been halfway across the world and only seen a handful of places.]
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Date: 2022-06-12 11:19 pm (UTC)One day...I mean, hopefully. Connecting this place to the Railway might be a real longshot, but...but it'd mean seeing other places. You could go, too.
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Date: 2022-06-13 12:12 am (UTC)[What could he have possibly seen? What world or was it space? He wonders what the stars look like beyond Earth.]
You think so? [He smiles.] If you think it's possible, I'd like that.
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Date: 2022-06-13 12:16 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2022-06-13 12:31 am (UTC)A fantasy that hasn't been realized. We haven't even mastered flight.
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Date: 2022-06-13 12:39 am (UTC)I-it's still kind of a fantasy even where I'm from. I mean--not that it can't be done, but... [he ducks his head briefly, then looks up skyward.] More that...no matter how many times you're out there...it feels like you're a pioneer. There's so much of it out there that we'll never know, so...
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Date: 2022-06-13 12:59 am (UTC)Still, it must be amazing getting the chance to see it all. You must have so many wild adventures that you could tell me about.
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Date: 2022-06-13 01:14 am (UTC)[at least in talking like this, Manabu isn't as hyper-aware of their states of undress, or the way his skin periodically prickles with goosebumps before warming over again in the midst of conversation. he's long forgotten the constellation marked on his chest - something he'd spent a few minutes fussing about prior to climbing into the water, even! go figure: he can have a nice time and not be all up in his own head with unease.]
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Date: 2022-06-13 09:02 pm (UTC)[Really he wants to know more about Manabu. Everything that he's willing to share. He feels like he's done an awful lot of talking. Does Manabu know more about him and his friends than he does of Manabu? He hopes that this quiet time together may help shed some light.]
I mean you could tell me anything and I'd enjoy listening. [He grins.] So tell me about a wild adventure you had.
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Date: 2022-06-13 09:11 pm (UTC)[he'll just keep rattling off things until Ryunosuke cuts in to pick one.]
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Date: 2022-06-13 09:20 pm (UTC)Ghost train?
[Sure this sounds like he's asking more about it, but Ryunosuke doesn't really do too well with ghosts. They're just scary, okay!]
That sounds uh...spooky.
[Tell him about it.]
no subject
Date: 2022-06-13 09:28 pm (UTC)It was...more weird than spooky. I mean, how did a train full of ghosts even happen? And why's it on the official Galaxy Railways registry? [his shoulders shrug up.] I have no idea! But we had to investigate a platform where this young woman's brother vanished from, claiming he was chasing after his late fiancée. Turns out she was right...
[he lifts his hands out of the water to gesture.] It was a real, glowing train! Manned by a standard Railways conductor machine man and everything. Me and Louis -- aa, one of the members of my Platoon, Louis -- we managed to catch a ride on there and find that guy. It was really full of ghosts!
no subject
Date: 2022-06-15 12:35 am (UTC)[But then he starts talking about the ghosts he pales a little. He doesn't like the idea of ghosts, and the idea of being haunted. And considering Japan loves their spirits you can imagine how he deals with stories of that nature.]
S-so you and Louis actually rode the train?! Was it dangerous? [It sounded terrifying, actually. Going through a mysterious train filled with ghostly passengers with no real destination in mind.]
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Date: 2022-06-15 12:41 am (UTC)Mm...I think it might've been if we stayed. But we weren't there for very long. We found the man, got off at the next stop and met up with the rest of the platoon. Aa-! [now he sees the look and hastens to wave off the worry.] But, but it's okay! We got out safe! And got that guy back to his little sister, safe and sound.
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Date: 2022-07-04 11:48 am (UTC)I'm glad you were able to reunite them. [A pause.] Was... his late fiancée actually on the train? Or was it just something he conjured in his grief?
[Not that he blames him either way. Losing someone so close would be difficult for anyone. He understands, at least a little bit.]
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Date: 2022-07-04 02:58 pm (UTC)Yeah. Yeah, she was there. She...was going to keep him there, even if it meant him dying, too. Until she realized...that wasn't fair. To him. To his sister.
So I think...she's going to stay on that train for a while. Maybe...until he's really ready to meet her there.
[...]
Come to think, I...I don't know how anyone gets on a train like that. That is, I didn't...see anyone I knew there, who likely could've... [his brother. his father.]
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Date: 2022-07-10 08:11 pm (UTC)Yeah? I was going to ask that... I'm almost glad you didn't see anyone you know. I can only imagine that it would have made it difficult to leave.
[Leaving a loved one behind must have been difficult for that man to do, but he was reunited with his sister in the end. A happy ending in its own way.]
Would you have wanted to see someone on that train?
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Date: 2022-07-10 11:35 pm (UTC)I'm...not sure I would. Want to see them there, I mean. [a beat.] That is--unless...they were happy about it, I mean. Father and Mamoru...both worked on the railway, too. So...if they wanted to be able to keep doing that, protecting people? Then, maybe, but...
[he shrugs his shoulders up, glimpsing the murky reflection of the constellation on his breast just briefly before the water's too disturbed.]
I don't think it would've been really good to see them there.
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Date: 2022-07-13 08:21 pm (UTC)There was the grim thought that those who died on the train were destined to remain but he pushes that aside.]
Sorry, I didn't think this topic would go this way. [A rather grim one for a hot spring affair.] Are you all right?
[Because thinking and talking about the death of family members...it's not easy and often it just brings up memories that he may not necessarily want to think about. Ryunosuke certainly doesn't want to talk about his own dealings with death in that regard, certainly not when they're supposed to be relaxing.]
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Date: 2022-07-13 08:35 pm (UTC)A--i-it's nothing to apologize for! Sorry! It's not like you'd know this or that about the story or...or all those things in the past. [he starts to ease up a bit with a bit of a confused look.] Though I...I guess...you'd know eventually, right? Just by merit of, um...this... [he points back and forth at each of them sheepishly.]
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