destinystrings | A Little Greenery...

A Little Greenery...

▼ A Little Greenery... (Apartment Log)

Who: EVERYONE (Those without a room can still come visit, if you'd like.)
Where: APARTMENT COMPLEXES, PISCES AND LIBRA
Summary: Massive Open Apartment Log (March 23rd - 31st)
Warnings: Rooms and stuff? If you start anything that is 16+ and up, PLEASE WARN US.

Do you remember the construction that had been going on for a while inside the apartment complexes? It had been rather silent lately, but on the 23th in the morning, you would find that the walls on each level were now filled with green walls filled with plants that survived harsh light environments, along with many herbs.

How had the managed to get so many of them here in a quick time? Magic, of course. (...No, seriously!)

The instructions were simple; those with Intel personas were asked to use their skills, if they had any, to refresh and renew the plants as they were used by the others. Thus a fresh supplies of produce could be made for a much cheaper price. The hydrophobic pumps took care of the water system.

If anyone ventured into the higher levels, they would find that the empty apartments of the 20th levels were all occupied by bulbs of all colors and sizes, flowers and vegetables in preparation of the warmer spring months. There were many scientific names on them.

It looked like they'd been handed another prototype project to go with the teleporters. But hey, at least this one seemed delicious and wasn't going to send you right into the other building's pool.

...Hopefully?

[OOC - Open Apartment Log! Talk to your neighbors, make new CR, hit on someone, get hit on!

You can find the master list of apartments [RIGHT HERE!]

[Start your thread with your character's name and apartment number/ward. You can always add what they might be doing, or just leave it open for other people to come in. Others then reply to them with the date that they come in and let the CR begin. Fun times are had by all!]

▼ Current Master List...

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Ah, ahah, yeah, it's just like that. Something stupid.

[Kazuya chewed on his thumbnail, gazing at the far wall that was overflowing with leaves and plants and life. Now that he had hesitantly put forth the beginnings of his 'problem' so to speak, he found himself a bit unsure on how to... voice it]

Do you think me choosing to be Demon King was a bad idea? In my world, you - went along with me, but you were never happy about it...

Ah.

[Perhaps dimly, in the back of his head, he had expected it would be something like this. ...Hoped it, even. While he would wholeheartedly support Kazuya in whatever he did... if he had his druthers, there would be none of this demon king business going on. No messiahs, either; all he really wanted was for Kazuya to be... Kazuya.

He regards his friend thoughtfully for a moment or two.]

...You know how I feel about it already, then. The... other me. It's not something I... that I would've wanted you to do. So... for me, yeah. Yeah, I would've wanted you to choose something else.

[He pauses for a moment.]

But... you're not me. It wasn't my choice to make, and if that's the path you wanted to take, then... No. It's not. It's the choice you wanted. All of the choices we had were... good, to a point. We wanted to lift the lockdown. And we did. If you can handle the consequences of what comes after, then... well. Only you can answer that.

Edited 2013-04-08 01:02 (UTC)

[Kazuya's expression was wry, and he dropped his hand from his mouth before he ended up chewing his fingernails to ruin, leaning back against the door as he absorbed Atsuro's words. Yeah, he... kind of knew that. He didn't know what he had been hoping, but it was nice to settle that sort of ambiguity.]

I can't handle the consequences.

[Kazuya was a bit surprised how easy it was to say that, and he blinked a bit, as if startled by his own words before he laughed a little]

Yeah... that's right. You're right, I mean. It was my choice, and I picked one, and it's kind of - childish... no. Sorry, you're right. I'm still half-asleep and thinking weird things.

[Kazuya rubbed at his forehead, no longer chuckling. He had so many things to admit to the Atsuro sitting next to him, but he didn't know which part of the pile to tackle first - didn't know if he wanted to tell him. He hadn't been lying about Atsuro disliking his choice, and Kazuya was worried that - that, god, irrational though it was, that Atsuro would start rethinking whether he was the Kazuya he knew and liked]

[Atsuro blinks for a moment or two at his friend before turning his gaze away so as not to discomfort him. ...This was surprising. Kazuya... This Kazuya... He was... different, in many regards, from the one he was familiar with. Of course, to have chosen what he did, he had to have been. But during the time they had spent together here... He had come to know, too, that Kazuya was Kazuya. Different paths and different choices carved different inflections into a person's heart, but at its core... it was the same heart, wasn't it? A heart that desired to protect, a heart that couldn't accept injustice or oppression. A heart that held strength and courage and all the traits that had made Kazuya such a strong, charismatic leader. The heart that Atsuro could follow without doubt, in any world.

But yes. This Kazuya was different. He was the Demon King, after all. This Kazuya covered his emotions with rough laughter and sharp smiles. He showed no obvious affection. He didn't dwell on his feelings.

But then... wasn't that because he was all the more afraid of what they meant?]

Kazuya...

No. No, it's fine. You... Um.

[Atsuro was hardly qualified to be a psychologist or any kind of expert on dealing with emotional problems. Heck, he had plenty of problems of his own.]

...Thanks. For telling me.

I... I, uh. ...I think it's good you're feeling like this. Uh. Sorry. That's not -- I mean.

[A short pause. Maybe he couldn't be a psychologist, but... there was something he knew how to be. A best friend.]

Look, you're only... you're what, seventeen still, right? And look what you've done. You led us through the lockdown, you saved thousands, if not millions, of lives, and now you're trying to be a... the King of Bel, a Demon King and ruler of whatever, and I... I just kinda tease you about it and I never really ask for details, 'cause it kind of scares me to think about what's gonna be involved in that. And... sorry. Sorry, I shouldn't have been like that.

But... It's OK to feel like it's too much. It's good. It means... you're still human. I think. And that's... That's good. Because it wasn't you being a Demon King that got us so far, it was just you being you. And if this Demon King stuff meant that you stopped being you, then I... I wouldn't have been able to accept it. ....Yeah, I know it's kind of selfish, but all of those choices we had at the end... We wanted to stop the lockdown, but I wouldn't have wanted to do any of them if it meant losing you. And that's what I was afraid of - that you'd... be something else if you decided to go ahead and be a demon. But it's OK, because you're... not. ...Not not you.

[A pause as he tries to translate his incoherent thoughts into something that made a modicum of sense.]

You're incredibly strong. I... could never have done what you did. Having to decide something like that... I mean, you know what choice I said I wanted you to make, but I still left it up to you in the end. Because... I don't think I would've been able to really go through with it if it'd been up to me. The fate of the world depending on me? No way. I'm just your sidekick. I always will be. So... So it's OK if you're unsure, but don't sell yourself short, either, OK? You've already done more than most people could ever do in two or three lifetimes.

And if... If there's stuff that's gonna happen later on that you can't handle... Then... that's what best friends are for, right? If one person can't handle it alone, then you grab another. I might not be able to do the stuff you do, but I sure can pick up the slack on whatever's left.

[He smiles now, a bit of an embarrassed flush on his cheeks.]

Besides. You need someone around to tell embarrassing stories about you from high school, right?

So... So I haven't really been a good friend lately. Sorry. But if there's anything I can do, just let me know, yeah?

Edited 2013-04-09 02:49 (UTC)

[Kazuya was quiet all during Atsuro's speech, slowly lifting his gaze up from his lap to his friend. A good friend...? Man, Atsuro had been perfect just by sticking by him for all this time. Everyone else abandoned him because he made the hard choice - Naoya needed him to punch God, and Kaido... their goals just aligned conveniently. Atsuro stayed by his side, stayed his 'sidekick', even when he'd been unhappy with his decision. If that wasn't true friendship, he didn't...

Well, what would he know? Kazuya knew he wasn't a very good friend either, if Atsuro was claiming that.]

...that...

['That was some speech!' was his first instinct to say. He bit down on it though - because he extended this talk first, and, he wasn't gonna run away when Atsuro met him half way. He felt like his stomach was a battleground for a great turmoil though, like he wasn't quite sure on which emotion to settle on. 'Not not you', huh? Kazuya... didn't know if he was still Kazuya, after all that had happened. Maybe the foundations were there, but, he looked back on his past self sometimes, and it was like looking at a totally different person. Maybe...]

Y-Yeah. You're -thanks. Atsuro you're... yeah.

[He was definitely smiling now. He pulled his knees up, pressing his cheek on them as his COMP dug uncomfortably into his stomach, he didn't care. Atsuro's words had left a warmth behind, one that he didn't want to let go so soon. Even if - he hadn't told Atsuro about - but, maybe he was right. Kazuya was, maybe, still Kazuya - somewhere. If Atsuro thought so... he had been unhappy but, he wouldn't've stuck around if he had become some monster, right?]

But, you shouldn't sell yourself short, either. I, you've been - I couldn't've... [Now it was his turn for his cheeks to pink a bit] You're the best friend, sidekick, partner - whatever, everything, I could've asked for, so... don't worry about, not being a good friend or anything 'cuz, I'll... always think you are.

[He lifted his head again, seemingly taking a bit of courage, even if he looked embarrassed]

So... thanks. I, really mean it...because - this is going to sound, kind of... but. At Horror Tower - Animus or, whatever the hell it was called - I, there was this, guy thing... Nyar- Nyarly? His name was odd, but... he got me thinking about stuff that, I just been kind of, ignoring and - if I don't treat it seriously, then, it's not serious. It won't impact me and, I won't have to worry about it. That's just running away though, isn't it? Hah... I was- am, pretty much...

[Scared, frightened, terrified - because fighting God was something not many people did and won. The original Bel, who knew its power and knew what the hell it was doing, lost against God, and Kazuya was pretty sure that God's strength had only grown throughout the passing centuries. How could he ever defeat something like that?! This wasn't some shonen manga, where Kazuya would defeat him through the power of Heart or friendship or some crap like that! He was the bad guy, technically! Bad guys always lost in those...

But treating it flippantly - 'yeah I kick God's ass and sit on his throne, you know, just another Monday' - meant it wasn't scary. Bragging about a Demon King, cracking wise and treating it all as a big joke, meant that this mistake he made didn't seem... as dangerous. He didn't know where to begin in explaining all this though. It was kind of weak wanting out of something he had thought deeply on, and made after reviewing all of his other choices. Kind of childish. Made his bed and had to sleep in it, and all that, but...

At least he had Atsuro with him. That wasn't a joke, or flippant, or, anything. That was just... was.]

It doesn't matter now though. I'm... I really appreciate you sticking by my dumb ass and, I don't think anything I can say will ever be able to show how much I appreciate it. I'm... kinda repeating myself now, aren't I? But it's, it's true.

[He looked Atsuro right in the eyes then, smiling openly. How long had it been since he did that? Forever, it felt like]

Thank you for being my friend, Atsuro. That's all I ever want from you.

[Somewhere in America, there were modern idioms about revoking man cards or violating bro codes or such bizarre things rooted in strange societal concepts of machismo; Atsuro had never really paid enough attention to Western media to understand such things. Even still, the idea that guys didn't talk about such alien concepts as 'feelings' didn't exactly go unprecedented in Japanese society, either. When was the last time he had ever been so frank with anyone? If a 'feeling' couldn't be easily guessed or understood by the other party, then it probably wasn't worth talking about.

For a moment, he is too flushed with embarrassment over his own brazen words to really register Kazuya's response. But his closest friend, too, has trouble speaking what's on his mind, and by the time Kazuya has begun making coherent sentences, Atsuro has managed to renew his focus. An expression halfway between an abashed smile and a crinkle of uncertainty remains on his face throughout Kazuya's words, but he listens carefully, knowing that he wasn't likely to be so open again anytime soon.

At some points, he gives a slight shake of his head or allows a small chuckle of laughter to escape, but he doesn't interrupt, giving Kazuya time to work out what he wants to say. And when he's finished, Atsuro allows the silence to hang for a few moments before speaking up again.]

...Well. I guess that works out, then. It's probably my favorite thing to give - the only thing I've got to give.

[A pause.]

Oh, but since we're on the subject, the trial friendship period is almost up. After next month, it'll be 999 a month, 'k?

[There had already been too much serious discussion without a dose of silliness OK.]

...Yeah, don't listen to Nyarly. He's a jerk. It's basically the reason he exists, right? To be a jerk to people until they break down. You... You'll do fine. No matter what happens... You've already got the most important factor for success down, right? Having me on your side! And if the Atsuro you've got turns out to be some kind of dud, you can go ahead and give him a kick in the pants for me.

[His smile grows broader now as he meets Kazuya's eyes.]

Hey, you should've just said this was about Nyarly from the start. For all the hype we got about him... you know the worst he said to me? Something about always being second fiddle or third wheel.

[Atsuro gives a shrug.]

I feel like being second fiddle to, you know, the savior of the world and Messiah candidate doesn't really say anything bad about me. ...And you know what? I couldn't be happier to be second fiddle to anyone else.

[Well this was veering into love confession territory time to bring it back a few notches. Honestly, he could see where 'Nyarly' had been trying to go with that, but there wasn't any need to say so now.]

So... don't let him get to you, alright? Whatever you want to do, I'm with you all the way. ...You couldn't get rid of me if you sicced a demon on me.

[Still love confession territory. Aw, forget it.]

Well. Maybe an Arioch.

Hah! Don't worry. I'd never do that.

[Kazuya's smile edged into a grin, his eyes squinting into a mischievous look]

I'll make sure to sic a pretty demon on you, like, Norn. Heh...

[His grin faded back into a smile, letting a little lull fall between them. It was reassuring to get that, at least. He actually felt happy. Genuinely happy. Not, that he was a naturally miserable person lately, but casting aside one's humanity didn't do well for feeling emotions. They normally felt muted or sometimes outright absent.

Thank fuck they weren't gone where Atsuro was concerned]

Okay. [A deep breath] I won't let him get to me. He just gets under your skin though. S'like fighting Belzaboul all over again...

[Maggots under the skin at all. Ugh]

So gross... mn, speaking of, I kinda feel grody. Do I smell?

[And with that Kazuya lifted his arm and leaned towards Atsuro, as if inviting him to smell his armpit. Serious atmosphere officially gone]

Alright, smelling your armpits definitely falls under 'friendship revocation', too, geez.

[Atsuro slides away quickly from his ex-best friend with a grimace.]

Shouldn't demonic powers come with auto-cleansing functions or something? I mean, demons never look like they need to bathe even though they wander around outside all day.

...

[...]

...

[That was a good point]

I... don't know. I just take showers out of habit. I never really notice me smelling, unless I get stuff on me like blood or- stuff on me.

[Kazuya was staring at his arm, frowning in deep thought. He was pretty demonic physically. His body was as durable as steel, able to take blows that would kill a normal person without the need of a Harmonsier. His body's core temperature was about 43 degrees Celsius (a temperature that would kill a normal human being - so this was probably Belial's doing). His blood was very dark and sticky, making it hard for him to bleed out quickly...

Maybe he didn't have smells anymore...]

Maybe I should try not showering for a week and see what happens.

Er.

Or... maybe we should consider this an experiment best left undone for the overall good of humanity.

[Atsuro edges away further with a slight grin.]

I mean, it's no good saving us from God if we all die from the stench.

Wh- I wouldn't smell that bad!

[RUDE!!]

I haven't showered for a while anyway... umm, about three days ago...

[He had been planning on showering yesterday, but his coma nap sort of ruined that. He lifted his arm up to his nose and sniffed. Didn't smell anything... although he was probably used to his smell by now - and the flowery scent from the nearby plants was messing it up anyway]

Oh! Wonder if that could be a viable attack against Him though! Smell of dirty demons would probably make him keel over right? Right? Ultimate Stink Eye!

...So you're saying God has a weakness to Unwashed Teenage Boy Stench?

I guess if Beldr can be weak to a mistletoe keychain, anything's possible...

[Seriously you can stop sniffing yourself now Kazuya.]

[Sorry he can't hear you over the amazing aroma of his body odour.

...okay he stops sniffing himself now]

Exactly! It's worth a try, right? I mean, mm, I'll have to think of something the original Bel didn't when fighting Him. Since, ahah, the original Bel lost...

...Right.

[The seriousness returns for a few moments as he contemplates this in silence.]

Do you know if they made flamethrowers or grenades back a few thousand years ago?

[Never mind.]

Didn't they have Greek fire? That was kind of like a flamethrower.

[At a stretch he could just grab a Cerberus and yank on its tail until flames came out. It was a flamethrower with teeth!]

I thought Greek fire was more of a sea battle thing.

[Atsuro contemplates this possibility for a moment.]

Hey, you could lure him out onto the high seas and make him walk the plank. Bet he wouldn't see that coming.

[Nonsensical ideas weren't usually expected, true.]

Does God even have legs to walk off of things? I... always imagined Him like some - thing. I don't know. The Bels don't really know what He looks like either.

[Which was odd, considering they all came from the Original Bel who had seen God. Maybe He was something that didn't have form? But how did he fight against a formless entity? Suck it up with a vacuum cleaner? They didn't have those Before Christ, so maybe...]

...Well. Men were supposed to be made in God's image, right? So it's not going to be totally mind-breaking, whatever it is.

Most of the angels look more or less human, too. ...Taking 'more or less' in a broad sense.

Hm, this is true. So maybe... He looks like a man?

[That was oddly bizarre to him. He expected this powerful entity, even if the form of it eluded him, but a being that looked like a Man? It seemed so... mundane. Maybe his hair would be made out of fire, and had a billion wings or something]

...that'll make it weird to kill him.

You could ask him politely to turn into something sprouting horns and fangs out of his face before you fought. He's omnipotent, right?

I don't think He'd try to accommodate me when I'm trying to murder His ass, Atsuro.

[Kazuya let out a bit of a wry laugh, rubbing at his mouth]

I mean, I know people say He's meant to be full of sappy compassion or something, but He'd probably aim to make me as uncomfortable as possible. Pff, for all I know He might appear as a kid.

Children are probably higher in cholesterol.

[Atsuro offers this non-sequitur in response with a solemn nod.]

You'd better not eat him like you do with the demons. If you're going to be around for a few thousand years, you've got your long term health to think about.

Are you kidding? I know better. Kids'll go straight to my thighs.

[Kazuya runs his fingers through his hair, tilting his chin up with a confident smile]

I mean, an Overlord's gotta stay beautiful.

...

Or maybe we can just weaponize your narcissism into some kind of energy ray.

E-Eh? What, you think I'm not?!

[No... his kokoro...!!]

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