[Were it an earlier point in her life, Rose would be out of luck. There’s something about the way Takame leaves abruptly that bothers her. Though she’s not known for outwardly caring for people, she can recognize something of herself in there. There’s a part of her that remembers—-remembers how she fled Fortemps Manor after the Vault.]
[Takame didn’t ask for her help, and he probably doesn’t need it. But Rose hasn’t gotten this far in life caring what others think, and she’s not about to start now. It’s not easy to follow him, and it’s not far in the journey before she has to rely on her “friend.” But, she eventually arrives at his apartment. After taking a moment to sit down and calm down, she knocks on the door.]
Takame, it’s me.
[She pauses and knocks again.]
Listen, I know. I know you’re not fine, and I’m not one of those overbearing assholes that’s going to make you talk about it. But I’m also not going to leave you alone after that. I’m going to stay out here, until you choose to open the door or come out on your own. And if you think I’m joking, I’ll remind you that I once spent an entire winter living in Ishgard.
[Takame didn’t ask for her help, and he probably doesn’t need it. But Rose hasn’t gotten this far in life caring what others think, and she’s not about to start now. It’s not easy to follow him, and it’s not far in the journey before she has to rely on her “friend.” But, she eventually arrives at his apartment. After taking a moment to sit down and calm down, she knocks on the door.]
Takame, it’s me.
[She pauses and knocks again.]
Listen, I know. I know you’re not fine, and I’m not one of those overbearing assholes that’s going to make you talk about it. But I’m also not going to leave you alone after that. I’m going to stay out here, until you choose to open the door or come out on your own. And if you think I’m joking, I’ll remind you that I once spent an entire winter living in Ishgard.
[Thankfully for him, even with Rose's voidsent to assist her Takame had plenty of time to sort through his incoming emotional outburst before she arrived.
Or so he thought. The moment she knocked on his door he felt the panic rise again. He knew that it was kind that she bothered, but he still swore under his breath. Not at her, but at himself for being so pathetic as to not have his emotions in check.
That came with the internal strife that he should no longer hold them back, but he still felt weak having them at all. From outside of the door she may hear a loud thump. The second punch to the wall he's given only muffled by the fact that his earlier punched already left an imprint of his fist in the wall.
There's silence for a long while, save for whispers of Hingan swearing, before the lock on the door is undone and he finally spoke aloud.]
Please come in.
Or so he thought. The moment she knocked on his door he felt the panic rise again. He knew that it was kind that she bothered, but he still swore under his breath. Not at her, but at himself for being so pathetic as to not have his emotions in check.
That came with the internal strife that he should no longer hold them back, but he still felt weak having them at all. From outside of the door she may hear a loud thump. The second punch to the wall he's given only muffled by the fact that his earlier punched already left an imprint of his fist in the wall.
There's silence for a long while, save for whispers of Hingan swearing, before the lock on the door is undone and he finally spoke aloud.]
Please come in.
Happy Holiday from Zodiac!
Congratulations! You've been specially selected to take part in our first annual Secret Santa holiday gift exchange! 🎁
This year, you'll be giving a gift to Moxxie! Please try to find a nice gift for them by December 25th! And remember, Secret Santa always works best when it's a surprise!
We highly recommend you participate, as no one wants to suffer on the holidays!
Thank you, and enjoy the season! ☃️
[As usual, any replies will receive no response from Zodiac]
Congratulations! You've been specially selected to take part in our first annual Secret Santa holiday gift exchange! 🎁
This year, you'll be giving a gift to Moxxie! Please try to find a nice gift for them by December 25th! And remember, Secret Santa always works best when it's a surprise!
We highly recommend you participate, as no one wants to suffer on the holidays!
Thank you, and enjoy the season! ☃️
[As usual, any replies will receive no response from Zodiac]
[The text is in two languages: Japanese and English. Yusuke thinks Takame may speak Japanese, but he's not sure so he gets the bilingual text.]
Kesi-san, this is Kitagawa Yusuke from the Libra app. I have a preliminary sketch of those Lords we discussed on New Years Eve, if you'd like to see it.
Kesi-san, this is Kitagawa Yusuke from the Libra app. I have a preliminary sketch of those Lords we discussed on New Years Eve, if you'd like to see it.
[At the start of the new year, Takame will hear a lot of honking coming from outside his door. It will persist until he opens the door and finds the goose, with a red bow tied around their neck, standing outside next to a gift basket. It will honk once more before waddling off, leaving the basket.
Attached to the basket is a note reading:]
We're sorry your Secret Santa failed to deliver. We've sent you this gift as an apology. And worry not, your Secret Santa will be dealt with accordingly.
Happy New Years from the fine folks at Zodiac
[Inside the basket he'll find: a bottle of fine rum, a pack of high quality smoked salmon, and a $500 gift certificate to a nearby bookstore.]
Attached to the basket is a note reading:]
We're sorry your Secret Santa failed to deliver. We've sent you this gift as an apology. And worry not, your Secret Santa will be dealt with accordingly.
Happy New Years from the fine folks at Zodiac
[Inside the basket he'll find: a bottle of fine rum, a pack of high quality smoked salmon, and a $500 gift certificate to a nearby bookstore.]
[Right. Gwayne has been sitting on this for... Perhaps too long, at this point. Having gotten to know his fellow Warriors, he feels guilty keeping it a secret. Not to mention, they have every right to know, and have their questions answered to the best of his ability. So, Gwayne reaches out to them individually rather than all at once.]
Takame? This is Gwayne. I hope you're well. Ah, I wished to discuss something rather important with you, if you're available.
Takame? This is Gwayne. I hope you're well. Ah, I wished to discuss something rather important with you, if you're available.
[Some time in January, Takame is going to get a text from Yuri. Because he realizes there's something about Yusuke that his friend's boyfriend should definitely know about if it hasn't made itself apparent already.]
heyo, swan prince!
this is Yuri, I'm Yusuke's friend and co-worker
thought I'd give you a head's up so you can help out me, little oriole, and our dear crane
he doesn't ever really buy food for himself or even cook for himself
it's honestly been a real problem to actually make sure the man actually fucking eats
I've taken to bringing food into the office for lunch just to make sure crane has a meal instead of... whatever he's doing now
pls help us keep an eye on him :(
heyo, swan prince!
this is Yuri, I'm Yusuke's friend and co-worker
thought I'd give you a head's up so you can help out me, little oriole, and our dear crane
he doesn't ever really buy food for himself or even cook for himself
it's honestly been a real problem to actually make sure the man actually fucking eats
I've taken to bringing food into the office for lunch just to make sure crane has a meal instead of... whatever he's doing now
pls help us keep an eye on him :(
[Wow his phone been blowin' up lately.
But seeing that it's from a friend of Yusuke, that checked out. ... "Swan prince", though? "Oriole"? "Crane?" Oh well, not the point.]
Yuri, I believe we have spoken once before. I'll see to it that he eats properly, but I'm unsure that I understand. If he doesn't buy food for himself or cook, how does he eat outside of when you bring food?
But seeing that it's from a friend of Yusuke, that checked out. ... "Swan prince", though? "Oriole"? "Crane?" Oh well, not the point.]
Yuri, I believe we have spoken once before. I'll see to it that he eats properly, but I'm unsure that I understand. If he doesn't buy food for himself or cook, how does he eat outside of when you bring food?
sorry to do this
if you don't hear from me in an hour, then caster's a problem.
[Followed by, about twenty to thirty minutes later:]
False alarm. So long as he's telling the truth, I don't believe he's dangerous. I'm sorry for the panic, I'll make it up to you somehow.
if you don't hear from me in an hour, then caster's a problem.
[Followed by, about twenty to thirty minutes later:]
False alarm. So long as he's telling the truth, I don't believe he's dangerous. I'm sorry for the panic, I'll make it up to you somehow.
Understood.
[The sheer gravity of a single word spoke volumes. But for a mercy, things didn't seem to be so grave. Takame recognized the park Caster stood in, but he wouldn't go forward if Waver didn't want him to.
So the twenty to thirty minutes spend without a response eventually led into pacing to rid himself of his nervous energy. And the tension that came with Waver's next text was dizzying.]
If he isn't a threat and you're unharmed, that is all I need.
[The sheer gravity of a single word spoke volumes. But for a mercy, things didn't seem to be so grave. Takame recognized the park Caster stood in, but he wouldn't go forward if Waver didn't want him to.
So the twenty to thirty minutes spend without a response eventually led into pacing to rid himself of his nervous energy. And the tension that came with Waver's next text was dizzying.]
If he isn't a threat and you're unharmed, that is all I need.
[After a rather poorly advised night of drinking at Lilian's, the party is finally dying down. It wouldn't be fair to say Rose lost her wits, because as far as this party is concerned, she never had them. But, even in her addled state, she's aware that she's not fit to go out to the city on her own.]
[She finds Takame, and while she attempts to stand, her attempts elude her. She leans on him instead.]
Would you like to return together? I feel like it'd be a poor choice for me to leave on my own.
[Whoa! Clarity! Where is this when she's sober?]
[She finds Takame, and while she attempts to stand, her attempts elude her. She leans on him instead.]
Would you like to return together? I feel like it'd be a poor choice for me to leave on my own.
[Whoa! Clarity! Where is this when she's sober?]
[Takame could actually hold his liquor, thankfully. But he was wise and took plenty of time to drink water and eat as well. He would have been less cautious had Rose not... forgotten the meaning of the word.
Immediately he put an arm around Rose to steady her and help her stand up. Clarity not was better than never.]
Mm. Please, allow me to take you home.
Immediately he put an arm around Rose to steady her and help her stand up. Clarity not was better than never.]
Mm. Please, allow me to take you home.
[Jusis finds the bookstore that Takame works at and, by a stroke of actual luck, catches him while he's leaving work for the day.]
Takame Kesi? I'm Jusis Albarea. I'd like to speak with you for a moment, if you have the time.
[Just because this is important doesn't mean he's not going to be appreciative of Takame's time.]
Takame Kesi? I'm Jusis Albarea. I'd like to speak with you for a moment, if you have the time.
[Just because this is important doesn't mean he's not going to be appreciative of Takame's time.]
[It wasn't as though Takame was going to relax after a long day. He likely would have stayed out and about even after work, so it wasn't like Jusis was occupying any chill time.]
I do, how may I help you? [Black Order or not, politeness will be treated with politeness.]
I do, how may I help you? [Black Order or not, politeness will be treated with politeness.]
[♪ - what comes of despair]
[On April 3, Takame will be unreachable via his phone. Jun's post explained the reason, a mission went awry and Takame and three others were pulled to Gods only know where.
So then... Why is there a message waiting there for whoever contacts him?
Initially, the only thing visible is what seemed like a blade's scabbard pressed into the ground, and a tall figure with a familiar tail leaning almost casually against it. The picture didn't last before whoever this was stood upright, taking the sheath off the ground. The camera panned up with him as he tapped the scabbard's end in his other hand.
His outfit of white and red with golden tassels was pristine from the legs to hips. But the further upwards was visible, other splashes of red were as well. He began to speak.]
My dearest viewer, I propose a question to you. [Takame's voice. But... distorted. Incorrect and without a trace of his Doman accent. A wistfulness in his tone that invited apprehension rather than mutual playfulness. He. continued beginning to walk back and forth, deliberately stepping heel to foot for his steps to echo against the cold steel floor.]
Is it not better to bend with the wind than stand tall and be broken? Will you maintain the status quo of your given hierarchy, or will you rise above it? [He stopped tapping his sheath.] The former is easiest, is it not? It grants you protection, safety, hope. Complacency is the path most traveled.
[Then stopped walking, the camera continuing to rise. Showing the whites of his outfit stained with blood.] But where is the FUN in that? If we, the strong, have naught to challenge us our blades will dull, life won't be worth living anymore, our purpose will disappear. Is that not utterly... [He turned, looking at the camera which began to shake. And approached it.]
Cruel?
[The trembling view allowed a glimpse of a twisted, fanged smile to show. But from behind it there were muffled pleas.
"L-Lord sas Tsurugi... N-no, no please n--!"
The sound of a sword's slash, a scream, and the camera fell to the ground. And yet there was one last image upon it from below while the screen filled with red.]
So come. Challenge me! Give me something to remember... Give me my reason to live, dear viewer! [And he laughed. And laughed and laughed.
Then it shattered.]
[On April 3, Takame will be unreachable via his phone. Jun's post explained the reason, a mission went awry and Takame and three others were pulled to Gods only know where.
So then... Why is there a message waiting there for whoever contacts him?
Initially, the only thing visible is what seemed like a blade's scabbard pressed into the ground, and a tall figure with a familiar tail leaning almost casually against it. The picture didn't last before whoever this was stood upright, taking the sheath off the ground. The camera panned up with him as he tapped the scabbard's end in his other hand.
His outfit of white and red with golden tassels was pristine from the legs to hips. But the further upwards was visible, other splashes of red were as well. He began to speak.]
My dearest viewer, I propose a question to you. [Takame's voice. But... distorted. Incorrect and without a trace of his Doman accent. A wistfulness in his tone that invited apprehension rather than mutual playfulness. He. continued beginning to walk back and forth, deliberately stepping heel to foot for his steps to echo against the cold steel floor.]
Is it not better to bend with the wind than stand tall and be broken? Will you maintain the status quo of your given hierarchy, or will you rise above it? [He stopped tapping his sheath.] The former is easiest, is it not? It grants you protection, safety, hope. Complacency is the path most traveled.
[Then stopped walking, the camera continuing to rise. Showing the whites of his outfit stained with blood.] But where is the FUN in that? If we, the strong, have naught to challenge us our blades will dull, life won't be worth living anymore, our purpose will disappear. Is that not utterly... [He turned, looking at the camera which began to shake. And approached it.]
Cruel?
[The trembling view allowed a glimpse of a twisted, fanged smile to show. But from behind it there were muffled pleas.
"L-Lord sas Tsurugi... N-no, no please n--!"
The sound of a sword's slash, a scream, and the camera fell to the ground. And yet there was one last image upon it from below while the screen filled with red.]
So come. Challenge me! Give me something to remember... Give me my reason to live, dear viewer! [And he laughed. And laughed and laughed.
Then it shattered.]
Edited 2023-04-02 03:44 (UTC)
[ he may not have known his lizard friend long, but when Vash calls him just--just to be sure, the message recieved leaves a weight like heavy iron in his gut.
challenge him? No. He's going to save you, Takame. no matter what it takes. ]
challenge him? No. He's going to save you, Takame. no matter what it takes. ]
[Wherever Takame might be staying, he'll get a knock on the door. Outside stands a man in dark clothing and a hat. With him, he's carrying a small suitcase.
He fully intends to stand out there as long as it takes to get someone to answer the door]
He fully intends to stand out there as long as it takes to get someone to answer the door]
[Well, Cryptid USPS-san is going to be standing there for as long as it took Takame to limp to the door and check just who the heck it is.
Didn't take as long as it could have even if the door was checked and opened with some trepidation.]
... Can I help you, ser?
Didn't take as long as it could have even if the door was checked and opened with some trepidation.]
... Can I help you, ser?
[They're still in the process of getting all of Takame's furniture and things packed and moved to Yusuke's apartment (not that he has a lot, they're just both sore and injured and recovering), but Yusuke has decided it's time for a break. They have the kotatsu and Takame's clothing brought over, they can take a break.
He gently tugs Takame down onto his sofa, leaning against him with a sigh.]
He gently tugs Takame down onto his sofa, leaning against him with a sigh.]
[Takame didn't mind Yusuke taking a break. Under any other circumstance he woukd have kept working, but Yusuke would not allow it and he knew he wasn't in the state for it.
He wasn't in the state for much of anything save for letting himself be tugged to the couch. After all was said and done Takame barely spoke a word, even to Yusuke. The pain, both emotional and physical, still lingered heavily and he didn't know how to process the former.
He just didn't know what to say for himself, letting out a sigh of his own but quieter and much less relieved.]
He wasn't in the state for much of anything save for letting himself be tugged to the couch. After all was said and done Takame barely spoke a word, even to Yusuke. The pain, both emotional and physical, still lingered heavily and he didn't know how to process the former.
He just didn't know what to say for himself, letting out a sigh of his own but quieter and much less relieved.]
[action]/a few days after both takame and waver are rescued
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
poisontippedcure
2023-04-14 03:43 pm (UTC)(link)
[It's no surprise to anyone that knew her that Rose had been restless the last few days. Two of her close friends had to be subjected to...whatever it was that happened this month. At some point in her life, she probably would have shrugged it off, but Rose has seen too much loss to do so completely.]
[So, probably sooner than she should have, she shows up to what is now Takame and Yusuke's apartment, with a hot pot of tea prepared. She's not a huge fan of the drink herself, but she's used to her mother and friends making it when someone is unwell. It's comforting, in a way.]
I came to check up on you. I was...worried.
[She fights every instinct she has to be tsun and goes for the dere approach.]
[So, probably sooner than she should have, she shows up to what is now Takame and Yusuke's apartment, with a hot pot of tea prepared. She's not a huge fan of the drink herself, but she's used to her mother and friends making it when someone is unwell. It's comforting, in a way.]
I came to check up on you. I was...worried.
[She fights every instinct she has to be tsun and goes for the dere approach.]
[Takame was glad to let her in, even if he didn't look the part. He was still very much sulking though part of it was due to his inability to do much with his arm broken. He was restless and didn't allow himself a chance to think on his emotions this much. Especially when they were all thrown right in his face.
Unlike Rose, Takame was a fan of tea so he's thankful for her making it.]
Thank you. I am doing what I can to recover. [Which is to say resting. Which he's not used to.]
Unlike Rose, Takame was a fan of tea so he's thankful for her making it.]
Thank you. I am doing what I can to recover. [Which is to say resting. Which he's not used to.]
[A few days after everyone was saved from the dungeons, Takame will receive a knock on the door.
Knock knock it's Cryptid USPS]
Knock knock it's Cryptid USPS]
[It's not Takame who opens the door, as Yusuke still has Takame mostly on bedrest and anyway this is his apartment.
So Yusuke opens the door, takes one look at Shroud, and closes the door before calling back to Takame (in Japanese):]
Takame, do you know a short shrouded individual, or should I call the police?
So Yusuke opens the door, takes one look at Shroud, and closes the door before calling back to Takame (in Japanese):]
Takame, do you know a short shrouded individual, or should I call the police?
[A couple of days after all the mess in the dungeon, Zulius had sent Takame a fruit basket and a note to tell him to take some time off, that he'd still get paid for it, because the last thing he wanted was Takame to feel beholden to come into work when he'd gone through hell and back. Zulius had then left him be. There are people a lot closer to the man than him to rally around, after all. He could wait his turn.
And a week after, he's decided it's his turn now.]
Hey you. How're you feeling?
And a week after, he's decided it's his turn now.]
Hey you. How're you feeling?
[Takame would have preferred to work than be left alone with his thoughts. But Yusuke would not allow it. Indeed, many have reached out to him wondering about his wellbeing. It made him thankful for what he had even if he still felt he didn't deserve it.
He at least had the decency to return messages, though the response took some time. And he fell back on his self-dismissive habits hard.]
Hello Zulius. I am fine. Thank you for your patience, as well as for the gift you sent.
He at least had the decency to return messages, though the response took some time. And he fell back on his self-dismissive habits hard.]
Hello Zulius. I am fine. Thank you for your patience, as well as for the gift you sent.
[Rose can do this. She can do this. She's done the scarier thing already. Now, she just needs to talk about it, right?]
Takame, are you there?
Takame, are you there?
[Despite everything including the now-healed considerable injuries, Waver had seemed like his mood noticeably picked up ever since his brief and sudden disappearance. The academy in particular seemed to play no small part in that, and even with the semester over Waver looked fully content in completely throwing himself into last minute setup before the facility properly opened.]
So what do you think? Are you going to need anything else in the way of equipment or supplies?
So what do you think? Are you going to need anything else in the way of equipment or supplies?
Edited 2023-05-28 20:08 (UTC)
[Takame's own longstanding injury had him feeling quite stir crazy. He was glad to invest his time into something that would help others, even if it used a talent he was once ashamed of. Deep in his heart he wished he could contribute more than his combat ability.
But... one step at a time, he must remember. He was glad to be here, helping his less moody friend. Looking over his hastily jotted down notes, he hummed thoughtfully.]
... Mm. For a beginning course I have all I need. Even should some opt for an advanced course, the practice swords I own are more than sufficient. [He nodded. Naturally this realm didn't have the extremely sturdy striking dummies of his but he didn't need them yet.]
But... one step at a time, he must remember. He was glad to be here, helping his less moody friend. Looking over his hastily jotted down notes, he hummed thoughtfully.]
... Mm. For a beginning course I have all I need. Even should some opt for an advanced course, the practice swords I own are more than sufficient. [He nodded. Naturally this realm didn't have the extremely sturdy striking dummies of his but he didn't need them yet.]
Ah, Masta, I need to talk to you about something.
And, I think I need to show you something, but that I'm not sure on. Got some time?
And, I think I need to show you something, but that I'm not sure on. Got some time?
Feel free to tell me if this is none of my business, but you cut out pretty fast on that prophecy post this month. Is everything alright?
[He is surrounded by shitposters and he hates it sometimes.
And that is why his phone is very much off the next day, while he's at Cygnus Academy (and is probably going to stay off a few more days).
... Now that he's here at the academy, he's trying very hard to not lose his nerve, but it's difficult. Given everything about April... would Takame even give him the time of day? Would he just turn Fugo away given that the boy's Black Order?
(Fugo couldn't blame him, frankly. He'd turn himself away.)
The last time Fugo found himself trying hard to not talk himself out of something, he realized it may have been better to just let that happen anyway. What if this is that kind of situation too?
... He's standing outside the door to Takame's class for a while debating with himself. He's almost certainly going to be caught sooner or later.]
And that is why his phone is very much off the next day, while he's at Cygnus Academy (and is probably going to stay off a few more days).
... Now that he's here at the academy, he's trying very hard to not lose his nerve, but it's difficult. Given everything about April... would Takame even give him the time of day? Would he just turn Fugo away given that the boy's Black Order?
(Fugo couldn't blame him, frankly. He'd turn himself away.)
The last time Fugo found himself trying hard to not talk himself out of something, he realized it may have been better to just let that happen anyway. What if this is that kind of situation too?
... He's standing outside the door to Takame's class for a while debating with himself. He's almost certainly going to be caught sooner or later.]
[Takame contributed to Elliot's mess with the tea fund, but beyond that it simply wasn't his business who his boss slept with. He wasn't one to get lost in gossip, those days of espionage were behind him.
While the rain and this pervasive sluggishness slowed Takame a little bit, he would still arrive to either of his jobs ready to give his all.
It was glancing over a few things that he saw Fugo standing outside and sensed him even before. A presence he didn't recognize.
He didn't push, whoever was there would enter when they were ready. It was only after several instances of Fugo's debating that Takame finally acknowledged him.]
May I help you?
While the rain and this pervasive sluggishness slowed Takame a little bit, he would still arrive to either of his jobs ready to give his all.
It was glancing over a few things that he saw Fugo standing outside and sensed him even before. A presence he didn't recognize.
He didn't push, whoever was there would enter when they were ready. It was only after several instances of Fugo's debating that Takame finally acknowledged him.]
May I help you?
[Yusuke can be found face down on the sofa. Just. Just vibing?]
I'm home-- Ah. [That face down on couch Yusuke is the sight Takame saw upon coming home today. He was worried immediately but usually if he didn't eat and passed out he was near his studio.
So here is a boyfriend, sitting next to Yusuke on the couch and petting his back and his hair. He must have had a rough day.]
Did something happen?
So here is a boyfriend, sitting next to Yusuke on the couch and petting his back and his hair. He must have had a rough day.]
Did something happen?
hey takame, keep your eyes open and don't go around alone, those rat bastards are sneaking around in the city
[...]
takame?
[...]
fuck.
[...]
takame?
[...]
fuck.
Hey, Takame? You're late for your shift. SO don't wanna be that boss , but with all the Krusnik stuff happening, I just need to know this is like a "whoops, I lost track of time" thing and not a "whoops, I got kidnapped by the evil kidnappers thing". Just let me know. Okay?
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