-IC Contact- [deercountry]

[icanhearscreams]

"... Leave a message."

Comments

[siriusly]

[with a chuckle in his breath:] That's just something you gotta work at, like a muscle! Just because you're not good at it now doesn't mean you can't get better, bit by bit. It just takes work.

[icanhearscreams]

[He groans at that, rolling his eyes.]

Great, more exercise. As if I'm not getting enough, jumping around rooftops.

[Wait, he hasn't told Manabu about that, has he? Whoops.]

[siriusly]

Jumping around rooftops? [Manabu looks understandably concerned.] First of all: When have you had time to do that since moving books from one building to another...and second of all...

What?

[icanhearscreams]

... Right.

[He sighs and is glad for his long-sleeved shirt that keeps his bruises hidden. He doesn't need Manabu worrying more.]

Vi's been teaching me how to get around fast. I've been meeting with her after work, usually while you're still closing up. I'm... I'm not a fighter, and we both know that. So that leaves running as my only option.

[siriusly]

[Vi's launching kids off rooftops for their personal development.

this............................doesn't surprise him in the slightest.

but considering he watched her get kicked square in the head by a murderhorse, he has to be that voice of concern:] Ooookayyyy, are...you at least wearing gear for this? A helmet?

[icanhearscreams]

[Absolutely not.]

... Yes?

[siriusly]

[wow sound a little less confident Jun i dare you.

frowning frownier:] At least wear a helmet, Jun... Vi of all people should know head trauma's no joke.

[icanhearscreams]

... I'll... see if I can find one.

Wait, what do you mean? Did something happen to her?

[siriusly]

[he makes a sound pre-sip, pausing to have a drink, sighing when he's had one and lowering the glass.]

Yeah. She's okay, of course, but... Not just everyone can get kicked right in the head by a horse and be okay. So. Maybe don't take her as a sterling example of playing it safe.

[he has 0 room to criticize given his own experiences but this isn't about him.]

[icanhearscreams]

[He snorts a little. Really? He'll have to tease her about that later.]

I'm being careful, though. I'm learning how to turn falls into rolls, for one. I've almost got it down.

[Though not... quite.]

[siriusly]

Okay, well, turn those falls into rolls with a helmet on. [sound more like a mom Manabu i dare u.]

[icanhearscreams]

Yeah, okay mom.

[If you're gonna try to act like a mom you're gonna get sass for it!]

[siriusly]

Haa-? [he squints, his mouth twitching on one side.] Is that you getting sassy instead of just apologizing to me a thousand times?

[icanhearscreams]

[He puts his hands on his hips and tilts his head.]

Well, it's not like I really know what moms act like, but you're sounding like one.

I'm a teenager, I'm supposed to sass you.

[siriusly]

[he exhales a low, surprised sound, holding a stare with him for a long time before he breaks, bursting into laughter.]

No, that's perfect, Jun! Haha-!

[icanhearscreams]

[This... was not the intended effect. Jun just stares for a moment, his brain utterly confused as he tries to work out what to do.]

[siriusly]

[the laughter tapers quickly enough, but it was still enough of a flag for Magnet to come trotting into the room to investigate. WHO AUTHORIZED LEVITY WITHOUT HIM?]

Ehehe... [he shrugs his shoulders up when he catches the bewildered look on Jun's face.] Sorry, but it just made me think...the shoe really is on the other foot! This must be what Mamoru felt like, back when I used to talk back to him.

[icanhearscreams]

Mamoru? Is that your - brother? Or...

[Some kind of father figure? He doesn't really know anything about Manabu's past, now that he thinks about it.]

[siriusly]

Mn-! Big brother, yeah. I was much more a pain than you are, though, eheh...

[icanhearscreams]

I mean I can be more of a pain if you want, but I think this place will do it for me.

[siriusly]

No, no-! [he shakes his head.] The fact you did that without me even suggesting you lighten up is the thing! That's the first time you've bantered with me, Jun. [and Manabu's pleased as punch about it.]

[icanhearscreams]

[He sighs and rolls his eyes, going back to his toast. ... It's good toast. After swallowing a bite he looks back up at Manabu.]

It's not like I never do. It's just... been... well. Not a normal time for me.

[At least the nightmares are starting to fade in intensity.]

[siriusly]

That's even more reason why it's good. [his grin is only dialed back because he takes another swig of water.]

It's nice to do something normal in a not-normal time, right?

[icanhearscreams]

[He huffs a little bit.]

I guess? It's... even with all the chaos it's almost peaceful here. I don't... have to fight. There's no battles to be worried about here.

I don't have to worry that someone I know is about to die.

[And even if they did... they come back here.]

[siriusly]

[laughs in deathcount but not really because WE'RE NOT TALKING ABOUT THAT. instead, Manabu just utters a soft, acknowledging sound.]

Right. There's plenty of other people to take care of keeping the monsters at bay, and it is good for you to be learning how to safely get out of harm's way. Things here...can change a lot month to month, but that and a basic lay of the land will help.

[beat.

grimace.]

Until the buildings start moving again; I hope they don't do that...