[Kazuya just blinked innocently at Hyoubu's squawking, as if he didn't understand why he was getting so worked up - in truth, he had meant it in a non-dirty way, honest! A delinquent who dressed up neatly in his middle school uniform... okay, not quite high school wannabe yakuza, but still there, kinda. If Hyoubu wanted to think "naughty schoolboy who shows up on borderline illegal DVDs owned by local perverts" then who is he to judge him- oh, wait]
Mm... you? Come on, you totally look like the type of guy who'd do mean things, but since you're so cleaned up, teachers won't suspect you, and so you have a sneaky reign of power over the other students, making them your slaves all throughout your school career...!
[Great plot, eh? Eh? Speaking of...]
Just how old are you anyway? I mean, that's a middle schooler's uniform, but you're kinda... like, Naoyaish. Grey before his time even though you look, like, fourteen? Are you an old soul too, or were you held back by like a billion grades and have the luck of ageing like... um, what's the idiom again? Fine wine?
[ The sad thing is, he was never that kind of kid. He never even went to school; that path was closed to him, as a special esper, in those days. And yet…
An idea begins to form in his mind. He could hypnotize the Children's school and become…. become class president or something? Yes that is a good idea. Why did he never think of it before? It might impress the Queen, and it would absolutely give that idiot Minamoto fits.
(it would also embarrass "his kids" something fierce, but that's yet another reason to do it, heh.)
This idea is enough to mollify him, and he even hands Kazuya his phone charm. ]
Fifteen... and change.
[ where "and change" equals about seventy years, shh ]
Tell me more about Naoya. An "old soul," did you say?
[Kazuya accepted the keychain, although held it in a somewhat bemused manner, as if he wasn't quite sure what to do with it. Yeah, it was cute, but... well, Naoya being brought up again snagged his attention, and the keychain was forgotten as Kazuya sighed. Deeply]
Old as the dirt we walk on. [And sadly, that isn't an exaggeration either. He was probably the one to invent agriculture or something ridiculous like that] I don't know what else to say. Did I mention he can be a jerk sometimes? Because he can be... guess you score higher on that then. I mean, you sprayed me in the face with a fire hose, but aside from that, you're okay. You've been pretty nice, considering.
Actually, that was a pretty good question. He supposed, technically speaking, he was old as dirt too - probably even older than Naoya, if one brought in the messy business of Bel into this - but unlike Naoya, he didn't remember any of it. This life was the only one he 'remembered', while Naoya recalled every single one. He felt like a baby next to Naoya, sometimes, for all he knew and understood about the world. It was bizarre to have such an innocent question throw him for the loop, but this was the first time he really thought about his actual age. Older than dirt, older than sin, yet no memory of all those centuries. It was... unsettling in a way he couldn't describe]
I... don't know...
[he stared at the keychain in his hand, looking genuinely troubled. Why did he even bring the old as dirt thing up? Jeeze, this conversation was such a disaster on his end, in terms of trying to maintain the cover of 'normal kid with magical powers'. He didn't know why he bothered at times]
... I'm an old soul too. It's weird. [he closed his fingers around the keychain and looked up at Hyoubu with an unreadable expression - before he seemingly perked up, smile and all. It was incredibly artificial looking] Hahaha, nah. I'm just messing with you. I'm young and cool - your regular seventeen year old twerp. Guess that makes me your senpai, huh?
[ He studies Kazuya, as the boy thinks. It doesn't seem that he's dissembling; it's as if he really is confused about his answer. When he says he's an old soul, it seems that he's simply stating something he knows to be true, rather than something he feels. ]
[ Senpai. What a funny thought. He's used to being the oldest one around — well, except for Fujiko. Even so, his "kids" are always trying to take care of him. That will be at an end, soon enough. He handed off control of PANDRA to Magi, just before he left, and told him "do as you see fit."
Just as the thought crosses his mind, a second figure shows up on one of his commemorative plates: Magi, standing behind him, looking as long-suffering as always. ]
[To say Kazuya was unimpressed with the hair ruffle was an understatement. He glowered, cheeks puffed out in irritation at what he saw to be open patronisation - but curiously didn't dodge it. He tolerated the hair ruffle, only ducking his head and turning away once Hyoubu was done]
Smartass. [his eyes skimmed the merchandise without really looking, although he paused when he saw someone new on there] Oi, who's that old guy with you? [he pointed at one of the commemorative plates] Is he your dad or something?
[ It strikes him that Magi has been acting like his parent since they first met, when Magi was an angry young teenager. Still, in his mind's eye he sees Magi as that child, so to hear him described as an "old man" is jarring.
How they grow up and change all around him. What magical alchemy. ]
Yes. Or something. Aren't you going to ask about the hair?
[ Because even on the plate, Magi's membership in the long luxurious flowing hair club for men is readily apparent. ]
[Long, flowing locks on male figures was something that had become the complete norm for Kazuya - strangely, it was the fashion of choice when it came to male-bodied demons, and he had to admit, it was a good look when pulled off right. Hell, Kazuya would try it himself, except he was fairly certain that Jezebel would possess his hair and make everything weird, which he just didn't want to deal with]
Hmmm, it looks pretty thick too, man, I bet that's a nightmare to deal with in the mornings. Still, it looks like it'd be nice to touch... [Kazuya seemed to contemplate the man on the plate, head tilted and eyes appraising, before he shrugged and turned away back to Hyoubu] His eyebrow game is strong too.
[Kazuya blinked. Control carbon? Now, Kazuya may not have finished school, but even he knew that a lot of things contained that stuff. Being able to control carbon meant you could manipulate lots of things, and instead he chose his hair? Well, he supposed it meant there'd be a weapon always close to you if it was a physical part of your body, but...]
Man, he'd be in trouble if he ever faced up against a barber. [Unless carbon control meant he could rapidly grow hair which would be kind of creepy and scary] Anyway, what type of person thinks, 'yes, my hair will be my weapon, I'll throttle you to death with my luxurious locks!' Pfft, your Not-Dad is weird, Major Hyou-Kyou.
Heh. I told him to focus on shears, specifically, when he was first practicing with it. Nowadays, even a chainsaw can't stand up to his version of hardened carbon.
[ He'd smiled to himself about it, back then, but he didn't (and doesn't) judge. Deep down he knows: all of the oddballs around him crave acceptance more than anything, and that's what he's tried to give them all these years.
The image of Magi fades from the plate, and — to his great surprise — he feels a little empty inside. He forces a smile. ]
[Kazuya smiled, clasping his hands behind his back and rocking slightly on his heels - he looked so innocent, to the point where it was obvious that he was intentionally being a little shit]
It sounds cute, right? Totally. I think it fits you perfectly!
[Was he calling you cute? Probably. To be honest Kazuya thought he looked kinda snappy in that uniform, even if it was a bit creepy that he was wearing a middle-school one when Kaz got the vibe that he was older than that. He must be a pervert in disguise. Or... one that was pretty open in his kinks. Well, whatever, Kaz wasn't going to judge a man on his private... desires... so long as they were harmless]
But, if you don't like it, I guess I can call you Hyou-ojii-san.
[ Ordinarily, being called "ojii-san" would enrage him, but...
It doesn't escape him that Kazuya just called him — in a roundabout fashion — "cute." This old soul, or alternately this regular seventeen-year-old twerp is flirting with him. ]
[ With difficulty, he forces the sadness out of his eyes. He smirks. ]
That's rich, coming from an "old soul."
[ He slides his hands into his pockets and turns his back on Kazuya and begins to walk off... ]
Heh. I've been called worse. Come on.
[ ...in the direction of the banquet tables, which are being set up as a buffet, piled high with every delicacy imaginable, from intricate salads with colorful vegetables cut into complex geometrical shapes, to succulent steaks, their aromas rising into the air, to many-layered cakes decorated with spun-sugar flowers. ]
[Oh, well, that was true. For the few years Hyoubu could be blagging, Kazuya still had a good few... thousand? Ten thousand? Something with far too many zeros in there, he was sure. But, hey, since he couldn't remember those years, and this body was seventeen years old, then technically speaking he couldn't be an old fogey! Right?!
(As you can see, Kazuya was determined to cling to his youth. He will never forsake it!)]
O-Old soul isn't- oi~ [He huffed as Hyoubu walked off, and after a brief moment of debate, followed him - then realising he was going towards food, practically bolted right past the esper to skid to a halt before the buffet table, looking like he'd been dumped right into heaven.
For you see, after spending time half-starved of food, scrambling after what rations were left over after the rest of the people and demons had at it, one gained a deeper appreciation for food, and this right here, man, he could marry this buffet table right now. All his favourites in one place, right there, ready for the taking, without him having to drop kick some monster in the head to get to it. Amazing]
Nnnhhhh... [An incoherent noise of absolute happiness, Kazuya clasped his hands together and looked ready to swoon] Ah, look at all of this! There's cheesecake and- holy shit, oh my god, is that mint ice cream? Ah, there's steak too!
[Looks like Hyoubu's been forgotten in the haze of food-lust. Sorry, Major]
[ He's well acquainted with this degree of food delight, given the circumstances of the kids he rescues. It's why he strives to feed and house them as lavishly as possible, with his ill-gotten gains. Smiling to himself, he levitates a plate into the air and starts telekinetically serving himself. As it turns out, he likes good food, too.
...even if he's aware there might be some nasty consequences, which given his experiences with this place seems fairly likely.
[At this point, Kazuya had began The Great Gorging, so his reply was basically a primitive grunt that could mean either 'what?', 'no', or 'bugger off I'm busy'. After a pause he did finish off the entire cheesecake he'd been in the middle of demolishing - albeit messily, with crumbs and everything smeared around his mouth - to properly reply]
Eh. Well, food was... [he paused, looking hesitant] Um. Scarce? In a way...
[Understatement. It was scarce to the point where people would murder each other for it. Yeah. That scarce. The amount of times he saw people brutally murder someone just to grab a bag of disgusting rations or stale bread or... anything edible. It was insane. Kazuya rapidly began to look uncomfortable and hurried to move the conversation along]
S-So! You know, not used to this kind of luxury! Gonna take advantage of it while I can, even if it means I'm pukin' it up afterwards!
[ Competitive eating was just starting to get popular as a spectator sport in Japan, when he was in the big house. Having quite a bit of time on his hands, he watched the competitions with a sort of morbid fascination — mostly that Normals would willingly do that to themselves. After witnessing the complete and near-instantaneous demolishing of a full-sized cheesecake, he's convinced Kazuya could be a champion.
(except for the fact that — naturally — people with powers were always banned from such competitions)
The ridiculousness of the boy's cheesecake-smeared face combined with the obvious discomfort in his expression... the effect is almost unbearably poignant. ]
That seems counterproductive. Relax.
[ Hyoubu smiles, and touches Kazuya's shoulder. ]
This place has its challenges, but fortunately lack of food isn't one of them.
[Kazuya's weight shifted slightly when Hyoubu reached out, as if to lean away, but once again, although he seemed leery of the touch, he didn't reject it. He tolerated the shoulder touch, and turned his face away, raising a hand to wipe at his mouth - even if it served only to smear the mess around more, rather than clean it]
Those're jinxing words, y'know. [he made a short gesture with his (cheesecake stained) hand, obviously warding off misfortune - even casting a wary look about him as if expecting Famine himself to come swooping down on horseback] Better not tempt fate... knowing my luck, God'll decide that'll be my next ordeal. 'Endless Famine!' or something equally stressful.
[ What an anxious, pessimistic kid, to think that God specifically is setting ordeals for him. And yet... he glances back at Kazuya's angelic robot companion, and thinks again about the casual references to the Tower of Babel. How very odd. The "many worlds" quantum theory suggests that anything is possible, and so...
Hm.
He pats the boy's shoulder and then lets his hand fall away. ]
Sounds like you've been through a lot. Want to talk about it?
Oh dear. Oh my. He slipped a bit too much - although he acknowledged it was going to happen from the start. Kazuya was terrible at lying and keeping secrets, especially concerning something like the lockdown. Though it was a horrifying experience that traumatised him deeply (waking up in cold sweat - avoiding sleep - jumping at unexpected touches - feeling that alien insidious hunger gnawing at his bones- it hurt - it felt good - no -) to the point where he was certain he probably needed a shrink in there to make him sane, it was like a scab he couldn't stop picking.
"Talk about it." He wanted to, because it would be relieving, and maybe someone would realise he was fucked up, but at the same time, it was too much effort and trouble to deal with those eyes. Crazy kid, that's all he should be]
...what's there to say? [Kazuya managed to wipe his face clean - finally - with his sleeve, revealing an odd, bordering on unsettling, smile] It was just humans being humans. Scarier than...
[Than demons, can you believe? At least a demon was rather straightforward about its desire to kill you, and Kazuya didn't mind dismembering them. Humans, on the other hand...]
It's weird. I kind of want to say, because you're a stranger, so it doesn't matter if you get disgusted with me, and it would be quite nice to unload. But... [well, he's a coward too. Ah... he should have just said it from the beginning. He dug himself into a hole now] Well, I guess... so long as you promise not to organise a mob for a lynch session, I can vent a little.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
Mm... you? Come on, you totally look like the type of guy who'd do mean things, but since you're so cleaned up, teachers won't suspect you, and so you have a sneaky reign of power over the other students, making them your slaves all throughout your school career...!
[Great plot, eh? Eh? Speaking of...]
Just how old are you anyway? I mean, that's a middle schooler's uniform, but you're kinda... like, Naoyaish. Grey before his time even though you look, like, fourteen? Are you an old soul too, or were you held back by like a billion grades and have the luck of ageing like... um, what's the idiom again? Fine wine?
no subject
An idea begins to form in his mind. He could hypnotize the Children's school and become…. become class president or something? Yes that is a good idea. Why did he never think of it before? It might impress the Queen, and it would absolutely give that idiot Minamoto fits.
(it would also embarrass "his kids" something fierce, but that's yet another reason to do it, heh.)
This idea is enough to mollify him, and he even hands Kazuya his phone charm. ]
Fifteen... and change.
[ where "and change" equals about seventy years, shh ]
Tell me more about Naoya. An "old soul," did you say?
no subject
Old as the dirt we walk on. [And sadly, that isn't an exaggeration either. He was probably the one to invent agriculture or something ridiculous like that] I don't know what else to say. Did I mention he can be a jerk sometimes? Because he can be... guess you score higher on that then. I mean, you sprayed me in the face with a fire hose, but aside from that, you're okay. You've been pretty nice, considering.
1/2
… ]
no subject
[ Now that he has divested himself of the phone charm, his hands are free to slide back into his pockets. He gazes at Kazuya appraisingly. ]
So, if he's "old as dirt," what does that make you?
no subject
Actually, that was a pretty good question. He supposed, technically speaking, he was old as dirt too - probably even older than Naoya, if one brought in the messy business of Bel into this - but unlike Naoya, he didn't remember any of it. This life was the only one he 'remembered', while Naoya recalled every single one. He felt like a baby next to Naoya, sometimes, for all he knew and understood about the world. It was bizarre to have such an innocent question throw him for the loop, but this was the first time he really thought about his actual age. Older than dirt, older than sin, yet no memory of all those centuries. It was... unsettling in a way he couldn't describe]
I... don't know...
[he stared at the keychain in his hand, looking genuinely troubled. Why did he even bring the old as dirt thing up? Jeeze, this conversation was such a disaster on his end, in terms of trying to maintain the cover of 'normal kid with magical powers'. He didn't know why he bothered at times]
... I'm an old soul too. It's weird. [he closed his fingers around the keychain and looked up at Hyoubu with an unreadable expression - before he seemingly perked up, smile and all. It was incredibly artificial looking] Hahaha, nah. I'm just messing with you. I'm young and cool - your regular seventeen year old twerp. Guess that makes me your senpai, huh?
1/2
no subject
[ He reaches up, to ruffle the boy's hair. ]
Please take care of meee~!
[ Senpai. What a funny thought. He's used to being the oldest one around — well, except for Fujiko. Even so, his "kids" are always trying to take care of him. That will be at an end, soon enough. He handed off control of PANDRA to Magi, just before he left, and told him "do as you see fit."
Just as the thought crosses his mind, a second figure shows up on one of his commemorative plates: Magi, standing behind him, looking as long-suffering as always. ]
no subject
Smartass. [his eyes skimmed the merchandise without really looking, although he paused when he saw someone new on there] Oi, who's that old guy with you? [he pointed at one of the commemorative plates] Is he your dad or something?
no subject
[ It strikes him that Magi has been acting like his parent since they first met, when Magi was an angry young teenager. Still, in his mind's eye he sees Magi as that child, so to hear him described as an "old man" is jarring.
How they grow up and change all around him. What magical alchemy. ]
Yes. Or something. Aren't you going to ask about the hair?
[ Because even on the plate, Magi's membership in the long luxurious flowing hair club for men is readily apparent. ]
no subject
[Long, flowing locks on male figures was something that had become the complete norm for Kazuya - strangely, it was the fashion of choice when it came to male-bodied demons, and he had to admit, it was a good look when pulled off right. Hell, Kazuya would try it himself, except he was fairly certain that Jezebel would possess his hair and make everything weird, which he just didn't want to deal with]
Hmmm, it looks pretty thick too, man, I bet that's a nightmare to deal with in the mornings. Still, it looks like it'd be nice to touch... [Kazuya seemed to contemplate the man on the plate, head tilted and eyes appraising, before he shrugged and turned away back to Hyoubu] His eyebrow game is strong too.
no subject
wow that was not the answer he'd expected. got a daddy kink, kid? ]
Ah... haha.
I meant, he can control it. Can control carbon, specifically. He chose to focus on his hair.
[ For reasons only known to Magi. ]
no subject
Man, he'd be in trouble if he ever faced up against a barber. [Unless carbon control meant he could rapidly grow hair which would be kind of creepy and scary] Anyway, what type of person thinks, 'yes, my hair will be my weapon, I'll throttle you to death with my luxurious locks!' Pfft, your Not-Dad is weird, Major Hyou-Kyou.
1/2
[ He'd smiled to himself about it, back then, but he didn't (and doesn't) judge. Deep down he knows: all of the oddballs around him crave acceptance more than anything, and that's what he's tried to give them all these years.
The image of Magi fades from the plate, and — to his great surprise — he feels a little empty inside. He forces a smile. ]
Anyway, looks like they're putting out —
2/2
What did you call me???
no subject
[Kazuya smiled, clasping his hands behind his back and rocking slightly on his heels - he looked so innocent, to the point where it was obvious that he was intentionally being a little shit]
It sounds cute, right? Totally. I think it fits you perfectly!
[Was he calling you cute? Probably. To be honest Kazuya thought he looked kinda snappy in that uniform, even if it was a bit creepy that he was wearing a middle-school one when Kaz got the vibe that he was older than that. He must be a pervert in disguise. Or... one that was pretty open in his kinks. Well, whatever, Kaz wasn't going to judge a man on his private... desires... so long as they were harmless]
But, if you don't like it, I guess I can call you Hyou-ojii-san.
1/2
It doesn't escape him that Kazuya just called him — in a roundabout fashion — "cute." This old soul, or alternately this regular seventeen-year-old twerp is flirting with him. ]
no subject
That's rich, coming from an "old soul."
[ He slides his hands into his pockets and turns his back on Kazuya and begins to walk off... ]
Heh. I've been called worse. Come on.
[ ...in the direction of the banquet tables, which are being set up as a buffet, piled high with every delicacy imaginable, from intricate salads with colorful vegetables cut into complex geometrical shapes, to succulent steaks, their aromas rising into the air, to many-layered cakes decorated with spun-sugar flowers. ]
no subject
[Oh, well, that was true. For the few years Hyoubu could be blagging, Kazuya still had a good few... thousand? Ten thousand? Something with far too many zeros in there, he was sure. But, hey, since he couldn't remember those years, and this body was seventeen years old, then technically speaking he couldn't be an old fogey! Right?!
(As you can see, Kazuya was determined to cling to his youth. He will never forsake it!)]
O-Old soul isn't- oi~ [He huffed as Hyoubu walked off, and after a brief moment of debate, followed him - then realising he was going towards food, practically bolted right past the esper to skid to a halt before the buffet table, looking like he'd been dumped right into heaven.
For you see, after spending time half-starved of food, scrambling after what rations were left over after the rest of the people and demons had at it, one gained a deeper appreciation for food, and this right here, man, he could marry this buffet table right now. All his favourites in one place, right there, ready for the taking, without him having to drop kick some monster in the head to get to it. Amazing]
Nnnhhhh... [An incoherent noise of absolute happiness, Kazuya clasped his hands together and looked ready to swoon] Ah, look at all of this! There's cheesecake and- holy shit, oh my god, is that mint ice cream? Ah, there's steak too!
[Looks like Hyoubu's been forgotten in the haze of food-lust. Sorry, Major]
no subject
[ He's well acquainted with this degree of food delight, given the circumstances of the kids he rescues. It's why he strives to feed and house them as lavishly as possible, with his ill-gotten gains. Smiling to himself, he levitates a plate into the air and starts telekinetically serving himself. As it turns out, he likes good food, too.
...even if he's aware there might be some nasty consequences, which given his experiences with this place seems fairly likely.
#yolo. ]
no subject
[At this point, Kazuya had began The Great Gorging, so his reply was basically a primitive grunt that could mean either 'what?', 'no', or 'bugger off I'm busy'. After a pause he did finish off the entire cheesecake he'd been in the middle of demolishing - albeit messily, with crumbs and everything smeared around his mouth - to properly reply]
Eh. Well, food was... [he paused, looking hesitant] Um. Scarce? In a way...
[Understatement. It was scarce to the point where people would murder each other for it. Yeah. That scarce. The amount of times he saw people brutally murder someone just to grab a bag of disgusting rations or stale bread or... anything edible. It was insane. Kazuya rapidly began to look uncomfortable and hurried to move the conversation along]
S-So! You know, not used to this kind of luxury! Gonna take advantage of it while I can, even if it means I'm pukin' it up afterwards!
no subject
(except for the fact that — naturally — people with powers were always banned from such competitions)
The ridiculousness of the boy's cheesecake-smeared face combined with the obvious discomfort in his expression... the effect is almost unbearably poignant. ]
That seems counterproductive. Relax.
[ Hyoubu smiles, and touches Kazuya's shoulder. ]
This place has its challenges, but fortunately lack of food isn't one of them.
no subject
Those're jinxing words, y'know. [he made a short gesture with his (cheesecake stained) hand, obviously warding off misfortune - even casting a wary look about him as if expecting Famine himself to come swooping down on horseback] Better not tempt fate... knowing my luck, God'll decide that'll be my next ordeal. 'Endless Famine!' or something equally stressful.
no subject
Hm.
He pats the boy's shoulder and then lets his hand fall away. ]
Sounds like you've been through a lot. Want to talk about it?
no subject
Oh dear. Oh my. He slipped a bit too much - although he acknowledged it was going to happen from the start. Kazuya was terrible at lying and keeping secrets, especially concerning something like the lockdown. Though it was a horrifying experience that traumatised him deeply (waking up in cold sweat - avoiding sleep - jumping at unexpected touches - feeling that alien insidious hunger gnawing at his bones- it hurt - it felt good - no -) to the point where he was certain he probably needed a shrink in there to make him sane, it was like a scab he couldn't stop picking.
"Talk about it." He wanted to, because it would be relieving, and maybe someone would realise he was fucked up, but at the same time, it was too much effort and trouble to deal with those eyes. Crazy kid, that's all he should be]
...what's there to say? [Kazuya managed to wipe his face clean - finally - with his sleeve, revealing an odd, bordering on unsettling, smile] It was just humans being humans. Scarier than...
[Than demons, can you believe? At least a demon was rather straightforward about its desire to kill you, and Kazuya didn't mind dismembering them. Humans, on the other hand...]
It's weird. I kind of want to say, because you're a stranger, so it doesn't matter if you get disgusted with me, and it would be quite nice to unload. But... [well, he's a coward too. Ah... he should have just said it from the beginning. He dug himself into a hole now] Well, I guess... so long as you promise not to organise a mob for a lynch session, I can vent a little.
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)