![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
You never even got a chance to meet great uncle Ford.
[This note looks like it's been crumpled up a million times, so much that the Kanji is probably almost illegible. It's not even taped to the table. It's just sitting there.]
"Last warning
goodb
fine
bye
Who needs y
stupid idiot
You better be damn happy."
"
You better be damn happy."
[Ken does seem much more relaxed. Minato's relieved. He often feels like he's bumbling along in this role which he'd taken on with complete earnestness, but no practical experience, and in truth little idea at all what he's doing. So many of his relationships have started this way so he hadn't been put off by it, but when it's someone he's responsible for, when it's a teammate and moreso his 'ward', it presses on him more.
He's honestly glad to hear that Ken has become okay. He'd known he would, or at least thought so based on what he'd seen-- they'd never had a social link-- but that's not the same as it being true here.
That's all that's going through his mind. He's certainly not thinking about Erebus. Of all the topics Minato avoids, that one he avoids the most vehemently.]
Did you call me first? Ah... I shouldn't keep you. But I'd like to see you, too.
Your piano must be rusty now, huh? We should practice.
He's honestly glad to hear that Ken has become okay. He'd known he would, or at least thought so based on what he'd seen-- they'd never had a social link-- but that's not the same as it being true here.
That's all that's going through his mind. He's certainly not thinking about Erebus. Of all the topics Minato avoids, that one he avoids the most vehemently.]
Did you call me first? Ah... I shouldn't keep you. But I'd like to see you, too.
Your piano must be rusty now, huh? We should practice.
... Yeah.
[The most honest answer: No. But explaining why he called Hisoka the Magician of all people first? Not happening. Besides, he didn't call Hisoka, so it's fine, right?
Besides, Ken's heartbeat is too busy picking up speed right now. I'd like to see you too. He was waffling on whether he should ask to see him or not, wanting to look at his face but not sure how pushy is too pushy, which is silly considering who he's talking to but he's relieved to hear it from Minato, first, and he stops in his steps. He's just outside the Porter, hasn't declared his destination yet.]
I want to see you too, Minato-san. I definitely have to practice again, I want to play something with you.
[The most honest answer: No. But explaining why he called Hisoka the Magician of all people first? Not happening. Besides, he didn't call Hisoka, so it's fine, right?
Besides, Ken's heartbeat is too busy picking up speed right now. I'd like to see you too. He was waffling on whether he should ask to see him or not, wanting to look at his face but not sure how pushy is too pushy, which is silly considering who he's talking to but he's relieved to hear it from Minato, first, and he stops in his steps. He's just outside the Porter, hasn't declared his destination yet.]
I want to see you too, Minato-san. I definitely have to practice again, I want to play something with you.
[It's more the hiding it than doing it that would worry Minato, but since he doesn't know, there's nothing for him to pry into.
As much as Ken hadn't been sure he'd ever see Minato again, Minato had been equally uncertain. If he'd never come back, there was no way... So of course he wants to see him, to appease that irrational part of himself that needs reassurance that it's real and not just a voice on the phone.
It's not like Minato hasn't spoken to people no one else could see before.]
Actually, Ken-kun... about that... [A short pause. Minato isn't one to show hesitation very often; he just sounds faintly reluctant.] Could I ask you for a favor?
As much as Ken hadn't been sure he'd ever see Minato again, Minato had been equally uncertain. If he'd never come back, there was no way... So of course he wants to see him, to appease that irrational part of himself that needs reassurance that it's real and not just a voice on the phone.
It's not like Minato hasn't spoken to people no one else could see before.]
Actually, Ken-kun... about that... [A short pause. Minato isn't one to show hesitation very often; he just sounds faintly reluctant.] Could I ask you for a favor?
[He's very, very glad this is a phone call and not a video chat. His heart trips up and skips a few beats. There's a momentary panic as he nearly bursts with eagerness -- a favor? What could Minato need? -- and then dread -- did he know?
But it's just a phone call, and Minato has no way of knowing, right? It'll be for nothing if he lets it slip now! And if Minato, that Minato Arisato, needs a favor from him, then Ken will be damned if he doesn't do his best to come through on it.]
A favor? Of course, Minato-san... what can I do?
But it's just a phone call, and Minato has no way of knowing, right? It'll be for nothing if he lets it slip now! And if Minato, that Minato Arisato, needs a favor from him, then Ken will be damned if he doesn't do his best to come through on it.]
A favor? Of course, Minato-san... what can I do?
[Astuteness is not exactly Minato's middle name. He can be if he applies himself, but most of the time he drifts through life uncaring. He does care now, but the drifting part hasn't much changed.
Which is the whole reason he needs this favor. Sounding just a little bit flatly put upon,] They told me at school I need to apply for university, but there's nothing I really feel strongly about aside from music, so I thought I'd apply to that...
But I have to audition. If you think you could learn the piano for Clair de Lune, that would be really helpful.
Which is the whole reason he needs this favor. Sounding just a little bit flatly put upon,] They told me at school I need to apply for university, but there's nothing I really feel strongly about aside from music, so I thought I'd apply to that...
But I have to audition. If you think you could learn the piano for Clair de Lune, that would be really helpful.
If you don't think you're ready, it's fine...
[But would Minato rather have a more technically proficient stranger to accompany him, or a close friend he wasn't sure he'd ever see again? No contest. It's not like he cares if he gets into college anyway. Minato could work at the clothing store indefinitely as long as he got to keep seeing his friends.]
[But would Minato rather have a more technically proficient stranger to accompany him, or a close friend he wasn't sure he'd ever see again? No contest. It's not like he cares if he gets into college anyway. Minato could work at the clothing store indefinitely as long as he got to keep seeing his friends.]
[The shock is momentary and Ken recovers quickly. Minato, considering university. Or, considering the fact that he was told to apply to university, as was typical Minato fashion. But isn't this exactly what they hoped for? No matter what, tomorrow comes. As long as there's a tomorrow, and they reach for it...]
No! [he blurts out before he's even finished the thought.] No, I want to do it! I'll be happy to.
No! [he blurts out before he's even finished the thought.] No, I want to do it! I'll be happy to.
[What was all this commotion about in his response?? Minato is clueless. He only knows he's disgruntled by being forced to make decisions about his future and is attempting to go the path of least resistance, as per usual.]
Okay. I appreciate it. ... It's easier to play for friends than strangers. Does that make sense?
[Mostly because that's who he's playing for regardless.]
Okay. I appreciate it. ... It's easier to play for friends than strangers. Does that make sense?
[Mostly because that's who he's playing for regardless.]
I think I get it. It feels more meaningful, I think, because you care more about them.
[Ken has his doubts that the choices Minato made were made for the sake of the actual world. Salvation to an indefinite number of people, for an indefinite future. Minato Arisato had been compassionate for those in his life, not philanthropic.]
... Where are you, right now?
[Ken has his doubts that the choices Minato made were made for the sake of the actual world. Salvation to an indefinite number of people, for an indefinite future. Minato Arisato had been compassionate for those in his life, not philanthropic.]
... Where are you, right now?
[It could be interpreted as altruistic of him, but Minato's altruism is contingent on his understanding of those around him. It's only by extrapolating that understanding onto the rest of the world that he'd felt so motivated, like he was making the right choice to save everyone and not just his friends.
His willingness to do so draws directly from his relationships with the people he knows.]
... I'm at home. Should I come over?
His willingness to do so draws directly from his relationships with the people he knows.]
... I'm at home. Should I come over?
If I go home now and Kaneda-san catches me, I'll probably get beat up for being absent so long before I can get a word in.
[He thinks. He's not so sure. Kaneda was never not gentle with him, and he's only saying so because he saw the dates. The whole "ten days" thing hasn't sunk in for him yet.]
I'll go to you. It'll only be about twenty minutes.
[He thinks. He's not so sure. Kaneda was never not gentle with him, and he's only saying so because he saw the dates. The whole "ten days" thing hasn't sunk in for him yet.]
I'll go to you. It'll only be about twenty minutes.
[Every day is a little bit easier to maneuver. Tetsuo can remember when it took all his willpower to force himself out of bed and down the hall, let alone to where he could reward himself with staring at the TV for a while. It hasn't been as bad as it could have been since Hazel visited. She forgot her game system here, giving him at least something to try to get better at. Something to do, when the mood took him.
The light in the room is dim. With the TV quiet, the only source of sound is the soft breathing of that brat dead asleep on the couch, wrapped in a very familiar jacket too large for his frame.
Just like that, all desire to play anything is gone.
Kaneda doesn't let just anyone wear that jacket. There's very few times Tetsuo can remember seeing Kaneda ever loan it out; it's his. Tetsuo himself never got to wear it. Never really asked to, or cared... until now.
Tetsuo shouldn't be surprised, in hindsight, that it goes to his ‘replacement’. Of course it would. The worst part is that he shouldn't even care. The Capsules are just a concept here. His friendship with Kaneda - also nonexistent. So what's with this ache in his throat..? Just under the pain, rising rapidly, is that familiar rage. It settles along the edges of his mind like a blanket, gently clouding out all other thoughts and sharpening his mind into blackened clarity.
You son of a BITCH.
He can't even tell if he projected those words or not. It doesn't matter whatsoever either way; he's got better things to focus on. Like reaching out with his mind until he can feel the pull of another object against it. He tugs upwards at Ken once, experimentally, before forcefully yanking him off the couch.
Technically, he should be grateful Tetsuo didn't do more to him. In reality, Tetsuo just had to get out of that room now. By the time Ken hits the floor, Tetsuo's already stalking down the hallway back to the room assigned him.
As he slams the door shut and sinks down onto the bed, he wishes for the hundredth time he had a lock.]
The light in the room is dim. With the TV quiet, the only source of sound is the soft breathing of that brat dead asleep on the couch, wrapped in a very familiar jacket too large for his frame.
Just like that, all desire to play anything is gone.
Kaneda doesn't let just anyone wear that jacket. There's very few times Tetsuo can remember seeing Kaneda ever loan it out; it's his. Tetsuo himself never got to wear it. Never really asked to, or cared... until now.
Tetsuo shouldn't be surprised, in hindsight, that it goes to his ‘replacement’. Of course it would. The worst part is that he shouldn't even care. The Capsules are just a concept here. His friendship with Kaneda - also nonexistent. So what's with this ache in his throat..? Just under the pain, rising rapidly, is that familiar rage. It settles along the edges of his mind like a blanket, gently clouding out all other thoughts and sharpening his mind into blackened clarity.
You son of a BITCH.
He can't even tell if he projected those words or not. It doesn't matter whatsoever either way; he's got better things to focus on. Like reaching out with his mind until he can feel the pull of another object against it. He tugs upwards at Ken once, experimentally, before forcefully yanking him off the couch.
Technically, he should be grateful Tetsuo didn't do more to him. In reality, Tetsuo just had to get out of that room now. By the time Ken hits the floor, Tetsuo's already stalking down the hallway back to the room assigned him.
As he slams the door shut and sinks down onto the bed, he wishes for the hundredth time he had a lock.]
I certainly wouldn't mind. I could also loan you some DVDs, if you'd prefer to watch it on your own time.
Page 9 of 48