[which is to say that she got away and really doesn't expect them to pursue her any further for such a petty offense, especially when things like the Archangel debacle are still pretty fresh.
...but as the queen of avoidance, she's pretty quick to pick up on when someone else is doing it. Josuke's only going to get that one free question before having to come to the point.]
So what's your part two, then? It's going to have to be pretty big to top the first one.
[No sooner has he got his answer that Hazel's pushing for hers, and he doesn't blame her. In fact, it's better that she's giving him a nudge or else Josuke isn't sure he'd be able to spit out the rest of what he has to say.]
I don't know if it tops it, but you're probably not gonna like it any more.
[She can't see, but he's scrubbing his face with the palm of one hand. Sighs, shakes his head, and then continues...]
You said Raina was dangerous, right? Well, I'm looking into it.
[her voice is sharp enough to slice through metal, and the response comes immediately. this is, in its own way, a lot worse than the information concerning Sabriel. it's silly, all things considered, but there was just the way that Raina looked at her that chilled Hazel to the bone. she wouldn't let anyone else near the woman.]
I saw you talking to her on that post and I wasn't going to say anything about it, but Josuke I swear if you take it any further than that-
[her emotions weave too heavily into her response and she's forced to cut herself off. the anger and the panic are practically destroying her words; they came on her too quickly and too forcefully for any pretensions of reining them in this time.]
[Honestly, he wants to know. What will she do? What can she possibly do that would be worse than knowing Hazel is involved with someone whom she feels is that dangerous?]
I'm not going to stop. If that woman is up to something, there's only one way to find out what it is.
[Unlike Hazel, he remains calm. A touch steely, perhaps, but only because he wants Hazel to know that he's not going to back down from this.]
I don't plan on being a guinea pig, if that's what you're worried about. There're other ways to get information.
[she's pleading now because, honestly, there really isn't much that she can do. she's no physical match for him, nor is she gifted enough to tamper with his comm and prevent him from contacting her. she isn't even on good enough terms with his dad to bring that down as a thread.
as always, she has nothing. unfortunately, for once there's something she actually cares about on the line rather than her own worthless well being. it catches at her hard.]
If she's doing something, don't you think I'll find out firsthand? And do you really think she'll keep her distance if you end up being interesting? Just - there's no point in you doing any of this, so fucking stop!
Don't you think that you finding out firsthand is exactly what I'm worried about? But I'm not stopping you. Even if I'm probably more equipped to deal with this than you...probably more than you realize.
[He's never really told her a lot about his life back in Morioh, has he? Beyond mentions of friends' names, and such.]
Just...I'm not telling you because I want your permission. I'm telling you as a courtesy. Because I wanna be honest. And because...well, I was hoping you'd trust me.
[her voice cracks finally, and the tremor is especially painful. Hazel has said over and over that her friends can take care of themselves, and even when used in the wrong context she means it. they're strong, she knows that. but it doesn't change anything.
there's more she wants to say, but when she opens her mouth all that comes out is a strangled, plaintive wail. stupid. as usual, her emotions are forcing her thoughts to the backseat; it's going to be a moment or two before she can muscle her way back to coherency.]
[she makes a frustrated noise, directed at herself rather than Josuke. Hazel has just been so fed up with herself lately, and this outburst just caps it off. useless useless useless.]
Yes, I'm fucking sure.
[a pause and the sound of more shifting as she scrubs at her face for a moment. she's grateful that this is only voice, but honestly this whole meltdown has her aching for text. she could walk away from it, look at her phrasing...hide, essentially.]
I'm not stupid, ok? I know that you can take care of yourself. You could probably take care of a couple people at once, from the way you can babysit me.
[a long, unnecessary exhalation of breath. she keeps breaking this response up, as if ruining the flow will keep her from getting worked up again.]
But that's - it's not the point! None of that matters, because if you keep shoving your face into dangerous places then you're going to get hurt. That isn't a maybe and no matter how fucking competent you are you can't stop it from happening!
[and doesn't Hazel know that from both ends? she'd toppled a couple mages who by all rights should have eradicated her...and she'd also met her death despite how careful she'd been of her safety.]
I can't handle that, alright? I don't care if you think I don't trust you or whatever, I don't care if you never talk to me again, I just want you to stop.
If anything happened to you, especially if it was because of me...I couldn't live with that. Especially not right now, when Tempo just left!
[she doesn't even notice that it slips out, the little emotional hurricane she'd been holding close to herself. Hazel's little ring of friends was larger than she implied, but Josuke and Tempo were still the ones she cherished most. losing both of them so close together? she couldn't bear to dwell on the possibility.]
FUCK. I had to say it. I had to MUDA MUDA MUDA. Thanks.
I'll get hurt even if I don't do anything, because the people I love will get hurt if I don't do anything. I'm backed into a corner here, Hazel. The only way out is to fight.
That's...something I'd rather do with you than without you. That's why I told you these things to begin with.
[On his end, he's much more still than she is. Almost like he's afraid to move. As if moving will frighten her off and then he'd be left with dead air and a situation that would be far from resolved. He doesn't want that.]
I'm not sticking my neck out because of you, either. This is just...who I am, what I do. I can't run from people who're gonna stir up shit, who're gonna mess with my friends and family and try to fuck up the only place I got to call home right now.
[He falls silent for a moment, processing the fact that Tempo's gone. Hazel's mentioned her once. He meant to get acquainted. Seems...like he missed his chance. But he knows at least what that kind of loss is like.]
I can't do nothing. Please understand. It's because I've lost people too that I can't stop. I don't want to, and they wouldn't want me to, either. After all...there're still people here I want to live for.
Your friend, Tempo...I wonder if she'd say the same?
Tempo thought I was a hero, so I wouldn't take her opinions too seriously.
[but it's said with a kind of bittersweet fondness, like someone recalling the stupidity of a relative who's passed on now. would Tempo have done something like this? absolutely. she was driven by a program that mandated she help people, but more than that, she was an exceptional person. there was no way that she would have let anyone bring harm to the world when she could have stopped it.]
God, I have got to start making better friends!
[Josuke is right to worry that he may spook her off - time spent knowing his friend, Hazel would suppose if she were a little more aware. everything from her constant fidgeting to the sudden frustrated exclamation speak to a deep-seated desire to run. it's a testament to how much she cares about Josuke that she's kept herself restrained for this long.]
...you're such a hassle, do you know that?
[she's folding. Hazel knew from the moment this battle started that she didn't have anything to fight it with, and now her emotional reserves are spent. she can't do anything to stop this - she might as well come along for the ride and try to staunch the bleeding.]
I don't know how we're going to get anything done if you're going to keep being such a problem.
You must have given her a good reason to think something like that. I know you've given me several.
[Josuke still doesn't understand why Hazel refuses to accept that she's a good person, but he hopes to figure it out one day. Preferably one day soon.
It's hard, after all. He looks at her and sees someone who amazes him, sometimes as much as she infuriates him, but Hazel...the way she talks about herself, it's as though she can't at all see what he does. It's right there, plain as day, but...she might as well be blind for all that she perceives. Has it got to do with being raised from the dead? Or maybe with 'mistakes' she might have made before coming here, or even after arriving? Whatever it is...
It's sitting now at the top of his 'list' of personal things to accomplish: help Hazel finally realize how special she is.]
I think you know I aim to be a pain in the ass. That's why we hit it off so well.
[He doesn't want to drag this out, though. For both their sakes. So he'll give her the option to back out now if she chooses, or...]
[she lets out a puff of air in dry amusement, completely oblivious to the thoughts swirling around his head. it's funny; only a few seconds ago she was barely able to keep herself from bolting out the back door and leaving her communicator languishing on the table. now, when she's actually offered the opportunity to disengage?]
Yeah, to punch you in the nose.
[she doesn't even have to think about it. she doesn't even try, because the answer is such a simple one that there's no point. of course she wants to spend time with him. only the people she really loved could work her up that thoroughly.]
[He's relieved. He was counting on her taking up his offer, but it could have gone either way, really. Wounds are still fresh. She may have wanted time on her own. But he's glad she doesn't, happy that he hasn't scared her off with his honesty.]
[not like she even needs the whole ten minutes. Hazel takes a couple of them to just sit and let herself mentally drain out a little bit, the closest thing she can get to any sort of recovery given her state. man, what she wouldn't give to be able to splash some cold water on her face and feel it.
but it's fine, she's fine. as soon as she's decompressed a little she's out the door, giving Josuke's door a heavy knocking before just letting herself in anyway. what a lady.]
[Once they disconnect, Josuke spends his time tidying up his room a little. His pets are fed, though he does need to wrestle a sock away from the kitten and make his bed. By the time he's finished with that, he hears the door downstairs open and close. Hazel admitting herself, more than likely. And that's fine. They've discussed before giving each other house keys. He really does need to get around to actually having one made for her, though.
If he stays in this residence.
Well, it's one of the things to talk with her about once she comes upstairs.]
In my room, Hazel!
[He's kind of wondering if she's really gonna punch him. Maybe he should ask her to avoid the face? It's one of his best features!]
sometimes when i'm sitting alone i just do it for no reason, realtalk
[you can hear her grumbling toothlessly long before she reaches his room, even with her brisk pace. even when she's not trying her voice tends to carry, ok.
she leans against the doorframe for a moment, deciding to draw out the uncertainty of whether or not she's going to make good on her threat a little while longer. besides, it gives her a moment to survey the room.]
Good to see it's a little better than last time.
I do the same. Usually to see how fast I can say it in succession...
[When she gets to his room and remarks that it's better than the time he was having a miniature meltdown over losing family members, he can't help but cringe and rub at the back of his neck awkwardly.]
Yeah, well, I didn't really enjoy those living conditions. Still kinda cramped, though...
[He tosses the sock he pulled away from the kitten onto his dresser before ushering Hazel into his room and closing the door behind her. Then, he holds out his hands to either side and sighs.]
[she looks up at him as he readies himself for retribution, expression unreadable. then suddenly she's moving in...to give him a lightning-fast hug.]
You're such a goddamn goober.
[even when she's still nursing the dregs of some serious emotional disturbances that he caused, she can't quite bring herself to really slam Josuke. that said, as she pulls back she absolutely follows the kind gesture with a hard punch to his arm that may or may not bruise. it doesn't count because he needs to learn his lesson, ok.]
ORAs are pretty easy for me, but they don't sound as good as MUDAs, lmfao!
[Her hug might be lighting-fast, but so is Josuke's response. He squeezes her quickly in his arms before she has a chance to dart away again, and in those milliseconds he's aware that gratuitous displays of affection between them are becoming more and more common.]
I can't help it, it's genetic!
[He takes his much-deserved punch with a dramatic whine and then stumbles toward his bed where he sits down, idly rubbing at his shoulder.]
So...that's it? A mosquito bite and we're cool?
i think i'd enjoy them if i could, you know. say them consecutively.
Considering how you were hamming it up just now you're probably allergic...so, yeah.
[you big baby, her expression clearly says before she drops onto the bed as well. there's a part of her that wants to indulge in the melodrama floating around the room and just flop onto her back, but she refrains. save that for later.]
Grudges are too much energy, anyway.
PRACTICE! IF YOU DON'T PRACTICE YOU'LL BE MUDA MUDA MUDA!
[that's because it is uncool, Josuke. as is being such a huge worrywart over friends, but that's also very sweet so it merely earns him a wryly crooked grin rather than any serious teasing.]
I could say that you shouldn't make yourself sick over shit like that, but I don't think that'd change anything.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
deadtective) wrote2015-01-08 01:21 am
no subject
[which is to say that she got away and really doesn't expect them to pursue her any further for such a petty offense, especially when things like the Archangel debacle are still pretty fresh.
...but as the queen of avoidance, she's pretty quick to pick up on when someone else is doing it. Josuke's only going to get that one free question before having to come to the point.]
So what's your part two, then? It's going to have to be pretty big to top the first one.
no subject
I don't know if it tops it, but you're probably not gonna like it any more.
[She can't see, but he's scrubbing his face with the palm of one hand. Sighs, shakes his head, and then continues...]
You said Raina was dangerous, right? Well, I'm looking into it.
no subject
[her voice is sharp enough to slice through metal, and the response comes immediately. this is, in its own way, a lot worse than the information concerning Sabriel. it's silly, all things considered, but there was just the way that Raina looked at her that chilled Hazel to the bone. she wouldn't let anyone else near the woman.]
I saw you talking to her on that post and I wasn't going to say anything about it, but Josuke I swear if you take it any further than that-
[her emotions weave too heavily into her response and she's forced to cut herself off. the anger and the panic are practically destroying her words; they came on her too quickly and too forcefully for any pretensions of reining them in this time.]
no subject
[Honestly, he wants to know. What will she do? What can she possibly do that would be worse than knowing Hazel is involved with someone whom she feels is that dangerous?]
I'm not going to stop. If that woman is up to something, there's only one way to find out what it is.
[Unlike Hazel, he remains calm. A touch steely, perhaps, but only because he wants Hazel to know that he's not going to back down from this.]
I don't plan on being a guinea pig, if that's what you're worried about. There're other ways to get information.
no subject
[she's pleading now because, honestly, there really isn't much that she can do. she's no physical match for him, nor is she gifted enough to tamper with his comm and prevent him from contacting her. she isn't even on good enough terms with his dad to bring that down as a thread.
as always, she has nothing. unfortunately, for once there's something she actually cares about on the line rather than her own worthless well being. it catches at her hard.]
If she's doing something, don't you think I'll find out firsthand? And do you really think she'll keep her distance if you end up being interesting? Just - there's no point in you doing any of this, so fucking stop!
no subject
[He's never really told her a lot about his life back in Morioh, has he? Beyond mentions of friends' names, and such.]
Just...I'm not telling you because I want your permission. I'm telling you as a courtesy. Because I wanna be honest. And because...well, I was hoping you'd trust me.
For once, just trust me...like I trust you.
no subject
[her voice cracks finally, and the tremor is especially painful. Hazel has said over and over that her friends can take care of themselves, and even when used in the wrong context she means it. they're strong, she knows that. but it doesn't change anything.
there's more she wants to say, but when she opens her mouth all that comes out is a strangled, plaintive wail. stupid. as usual, her emotions are forcing her thoughts to the backseat; it's going to be a moment or two before she can muscle her way back to coherency.]
no subject
Are you sure about that?
no subject
Yes, I'm fucking sure.
[a pause and the sound of more shifting as she scrubs at her face for a moment. she's grateful that this is only voice, but honestly this whole meltdown has her aching for text. she could walk away from it, look at her phrasing...hide, essentially.]
I'm not stupid, ok? I know that you can take care of yourself. You could probably take care of a couple people at once, from the way you can babysit me.
[a long, unnecessary exhalation of breath. she keeps breaking this response up, as if ruining the flow will keep her from getting worked up again.]
But that's - it's not the point! None of that matters, because if you keep shoving your face into dangerous places then you're going to get hurt. That isn't a maybe and no matter how fucking competent you are you can't stop it from happening!
[and doesn't Hazel know that from both ends? she'd toppled a couple mages who by all rights should have eradicated her...and she'd also met her death despite how careful she'd been of her safety.]
I can't handle that, alright? I don't care if you think I don't trust you or whatever, I don't care if you never talk to me again, I just want you to stop.
If anything happened to you, especially if it was because of me...I couldn't live with that. Especially not right now, when Tempo just left!
[she doesn't even notice that it slips out, the little emotional hurricane she'd been holding close to herself. Hazel's little ring of friends was larger than she implied, but Josuke and Tempo were still the ones she cherished most. losing both of them so close together? she couldn't bear to dwell on the possibility.]
FUCK. I had to say it. I had to MUDA MUDA MUDA. Thanks.
Heavily.]
I'll get hurt even if I don't do anything, because the people I love will get hurt if I don't do anything. I'm backed into a corner here, Hazel. The only way out is to fight.
That's...something I'd rather do with you than without you. That's why I told you these things to begin with.
[On his end, he's much more still than she is. Almost like he's afraid to move. As if moving will frighten her off and then he'd be left with dead air and a situation that would be far from resolved. He doesn't want that.]
I'm not sticking my neck out because of you, either. This is just...who I am, what I do. I can't run from people who're gonna stir up shit, who're gonna mess with my friends and family and try to fuck up the only place I got to call home right now.
[He falls silent for a moment, processing the fact that Tempo's gone. Hazel's mentioned her once. He meant to get acquainted. Seems...like he missed his chance. But he knows at least what that kind of loss is like.]
I can't do nothing. Please understand. It's because I've lost people too that I can't stop. I don't want to, and they wouldn't want me to, either. After all...there're still people here I want to live for.
Your friend, Tempo...I wonder if she'd say the same?
that sounds like a personal problem
[but it's said with a kind of bittersweet fondness, like someone recalling the stupidity of a relative who's passed on now. would Tempo have done something like this? absolutely. she was driven by a program that mandated she help people, but more than that, she was an exceptional person. there was no way that she would have let anyone bring harm to the world when she could have stopped it.]
God, I have got to start making better friends!
[Josuke is right to worry that he may spook her off - time spent knowing his friend, Hazel would suppose if she were a little more aware. everything from her constant fidgeting to the sudden frustrated exclamation speak to a deep-seated desire to run. it's a testament to how much she cares about Josuke that she's kept herself restrained for this long.]
...you're such a hassle, do you know that?
[she's folding. Hazel knew from the moment this battle started that she didn't have anything to fight it with, and now her emotional reserves are spent. she can't do anything to stop this - she might as well come along for the ride and try to staunch the bleeding.]
I don't know how we're going to get anything done if you're going to keep being such a problem.
Mudas are contagious.
[Josuke still doesn't understand why Hazel refuses to accept that she's a good person, but he hopes to figure it out one day. Preferably one day soon.
It's hard, after all. He looks at her and sees someone who amazes him, sometimes as much as she infuriates him, but Hazel...the way she talks about herself, it's as though she can't at all see what he does. It's right there, plain as day, but...she might as well be blind for all that she perceives. Has it got to do with being raised from the dead? Or maybe with 'mistakes' she might have made before coming here, or even after arriving? Whatever it is...
It's sitting now at the top of his 'list' of personal things to accomplish: help Hazel finally realize how special she is.]
I think you know I aim to be a pain in the ass. That's why we hit it off so well.
[He doesn't want to drag this out, though. For both their sakes. So he'll give her the option to back out now if she chooses, or...]
...you wanna swing by?
if you didn't get the vaccine, maybe
Yeah, to punch you in the nose.
[she doesn't even have to think about it. she doesn't even try, because the answer is such a simple one that there's no point. of course she wants to spend time with him. only the people she really loved could work her up that thoroughly.]
None exists!
[He's relieved. He was counting on her taking up his offer, but it could have gone either way, really. Wounds are still fresh. She may have wanted time on her own. But he's glad she doesn't, happy that he hasn't scared her off with his honesty.]
I've probably earned it, anyway. See you in ten?
i'm sure there's a ripple based one
[not like she even needs the whole ten minutes. Hazel takes a couple of them to just sit and let herself mentally drain out a little bit, the closest thing she can get to any sort of recovery given her state. man, what she wouldn't give to be able to splash some cold water on her face and feel it.
but it's fine, she's fine. as soon as she's decompressed a little she's out the door, giving Josuke's door a heavy knocking before just letting herself in anyway. what a lady.]
IDK man, MUDA MUDA MUDAing isn't SO bad...
[Once they disconnect, Josuke spends his time tidying up his room a little. His pets are fed, though he does need to wrestle a sock away from the kitten and make his bed. By the time he's finished with that, he hears the door downstairs open and close. Hazel admitting herself, more than likely. And that's fine. They've discussed before giving each other house keys. He really does need to get around to actually having one made for her, though.
If he stays in this residence.
Well, it's one of the things to talk with her about once she comes upstairs.]
In my room, Hazel!
[He's kind of wondering if she's really gonna punch him. Maybe he should ask her to avoid the face? It's one of his best features!]
sometimes when i'm sitting alone i just do it for no reason, realtalk
[you can hear her grumbling toothlessly long before she reaches his room, even with her brisk pace. even when she's not trying her voice tends to carry, ok.
she leans against the doorframe for a moment, deciding to draw out the uncertainty of whether or not she's going to make good on her threat a little while longer. besides, it gives her a moment to survey the room.]
Good to see it's a little better than last time.
I do the same. Usually to see how fast I can say it in succession...
Yeah, well, I didn't really enjoy those living conditions. Still kinda cramped, though...
[He tosses the sock he pulled away from the kitten onto his dresser before ushering Hazel into his room and closing the door behind her. Then, he holds out his hands to either side and sighs.]
Alright, lay it on me.
i save that challenge for ora-ing. all dem rs...
You're such a goddamn goober.
[even when she's still nursing the dregs of some serious emotional disturbances that he caused, she can't quite bring herself to really slam Josuke. that said, as she pulls back she absolutely follows the kind gesture with a hard punch to his arm that may or may not bruise. it doesn't count because he needs to learn his lesson, ok.]
ORAs are pretty easy for me, but they don't sound as good as MUDAs, lmfao!
I can't help it, it's genetic!
[He takes his much-deserved punch with a dramatic whine and then stumbles toward his bed where he sits down, idly rubbing at his shoulder.]
So...that's it? A mosquito bite and we're cool?
i think i'd enjoy them if i could, you know. say them consecutively.
[you big baby, her expression clearly says before she drops onto the bed as well. there's a part of her that wants to indulge in the melodrama floating around the room and just flop onto her back, but she refrains. save that for later.]
Grudges are too much energy, anyway.
PRACTICE! IF YOU DON'T PRACTICE YOU'LL BE MUDA MUDA MUDA!
[Yes, actually, he does. But describing it that way makes it sound so...so uncool.]
But at least we're seeing eye-to-eye on the rest of this. [He thinks.] I'm glad.
You're fun to rile up sometimes, but when it's serious I really do worry.
too late for that one......
I could say that you shouldn't make yourself sick over shit like that, but I don't think that'd change anything.