synflux | [ closed ] catchall

( from here! )

[ Thankfully Marcille understood most of what Ishmael was saying aside from the "PR-friendly" part. (What's a PR?) The simplified explanation is appreciated though!

The shock is clear on her face when she hears about the disappearances, but the thought settles relatively quickly. Nanami had disappeared, didn't he? What exactly did he do that fulfilled his duties? What constitutes "fulfillment?" Ishmael might not have a clear answer for this either; if she did, there's a chance she wouldn't be here right now.

The apology pulls Marcille out of her thoughts. She gently squeezes her arm again and offers a reassuring smile. ]

Hey, we've met a few times already, right? I don't think you'd share all of this if you thought I'd go around telling people. Your secrets are safe with me.

[ Her smile drifts off naturally. ]

I talked to someone on the network about this too. It's true that we can disappear from this place any time, but aren't all relationships like that? Things can happen any time, to anyone. That doesn't mean you shouldn't try to get close to people at all.

Edited 2024-04-21 20:49 (UTC)

( from here! )

[ Well. It's too late to do anything now, unless she wants to transfer kryptos to him somehow (which she still doesn't know how to do yet). ]

It's not dragging! I was the one who offered to help. If I couldn't come, I'd just say so.

[ She'll walk with him over to a table and slide into the seat across from him. ]

How long have you been here for?

Edited 2024-04-21 21:56 (UTC)

[ she resumed shoveling food into her mouth as marcille speaks, the color in her freckled cheeks starting to return. marcille is... kind. very kind, like most of the people ishmael's met here so far. it probably means that the world she came from treated her well. ]

I know. I'm... trying to have faith in people again. It's hard when most of them keep dying around me.

[ she puts down her spoon. ]

He's also someone I rarely encounter in the City. Someone who makes you feel safe and sound. He may be annoying and he rarely if ever talks about himself, but... he's sincere and loyal. I didn't think I want a person like that. [ she rubs at her eyes. she's not crying, dw. ] It's weird. All of this feels weird and new, and it's been driving me crazy. Is this normal?

[ to be honest, if he knew what her preference was, he would have ordered in advance and had the drinks come out when she arrived. he didn't really like wasting others time as much as he also didn't want his time wasted.

which... in a world where downtime was more commonplace, it was a conundrum for sure. but, at her words, he does find some semblance of ease in the idea that she didn't necessarily feel forced to be here. ]

About five months. [ is it six already, i forgot, but pretend yuwon knows the right answer. ]

[ Perhaps Marcille had shut down his attempt to ask her out on a date, but that won't stop Ryoji from going out with her as a friend, and indulging in her company. Even at the best of times, he's become a social creature, but he's been particularly keen to keep himself occupied with company this week. It's a more deliberate push for something he typically leans into naturally, even if he doesn't fully comprehend why.

He's lost something, someone dear, and in turn he is all the more eager to hold fast to the bonds that he's made here. This is uncharted territory for him, so better that he sticks to what he knows, while he attempts to process his very human emotions with a very inhuman heart.

All to say, today he's invited Marcille to the cat cafe with him. He's been here a number of times with Yuji, but as one of his favorite places to visit, he evangelized its perks and benefits the whole way here. As though it being a cat cafe doesn't speak for itself, but as they share drinks and treats surrounded by felines, one black cat even going so far as to curl right up in Ryoji's lap. It took some convincing, but the cats here finally seem to like him! This one in particular. It's the small things. ]

So, do you have a favorite yet? Don't worry — I won't tell them if you do.

[ Is he talking about the cats or the desserts? Yeah. ]

[ IS SHE CRYING?? If she is, she's getting a small hug eventually. Right now, Marcille is giving her space. She lets go of Ishmael's arm to let her eat; her health is Marcille's priority right now, as important as it is for her to empty her thoughts and feelings. ]

It sounds like this might just be your first time having feelings for someone. [ Marcille smiles softly. ] You've been told not to have them for anyone at all. Of course it'll be really debilitating. But it's also nice to be around him, right? He makes you happy?

[ So efficient... ]

That is a long time. You must have been here when the Kaiju battle before this one happened too.

[ Like Raidou, she thinks, although Yuwon may not know him. ]

Anyway, thanks for getting my drink for me. [ She smiles. ] If we do this again, I'll treat you next time, okay? Then we can be even.

[ Marcille has met the cats around the city and near the onsen, but she's never visited the "cat café's" before. Despite hearing about them, she was convinced that these cafés were either cat-themed or served actual cats (DON'T ASK) or something else completely foreign to her. Since then she's learned how to search on the internet for answers, and up until now, she just hasn't had an excuse to visit one.

Now she's here with Ryoji, herself seated on a cushion on the long bench lining the window. Her strawberry milk tea is on the table in front of them—and mostly untouched, given that her attention has been on Ryoji and the cats.

She thought that being exposed to the kitties at the onsen would help her be less emotional in front of friends. Then she saw one in particular—a large, bicolor female cat, more on the distant side. Since they arrived, though the other cats are much smaller and friendlier, Marcille has been quietly trying to win the cat's favor with treats and toys. She's had a few victories so far.

Ryoji's question might be facetious given that Marcille has been glancing and pouting at this cat periodically. She looks back at him and sighs, finally reaching to take a sip of her drink. ]

They're all adorable. I just can't get that one to like me... What's with her? [ Siiip. She points over to Ryoji's lap. ] That black one you have is really cute especially. What's its name again?

[ she nods. no hesitation there. ]

The problem is... it's hard to figure out how he feels, sometimes. Or if I even want this to go anywhere. I mean, should I?

[ is there water nearby. she's going to reach for it and take large gulps. ]

What do you think? As someone who clearly knows how this goes.

[ His own victories with the cats have been hard-fought, and only after spending ample time at the cafe did they start to warm up to him. Something about his otherworldly nature had seemed off-putting to them at first, but even cats can only put up so much resistance against toys and treats. Ryoji had worked particularly hard on the one who now sits in his lap — particularly after a certain someone had disappeared, because something about the kitten's disposition just...reminds him of his wayward friend.

...And Minato is about as cat-coded as they come. It was an easy leap to make. ]

This is Sir Clawrence. I usually just call him Claw-chan, though. [ Rubbing Clawrence between the ears, Ryoji takes a sip of his matcha tea and glances back at the evasive cat Marcille has been trying to woo. He hasn't had much luck with that one himself, but he will take his victories where he can get them. ]

The ones at the onsen wouldn't give me the time of day, but these ones are a little more forgiving. [ A beat. ] Except for that one. You really have your heart set on her, don't you?

[ Yeah, he noticed. ]

Aw, Claw-chan... [ Having been in Neo Tokyo for a few months now, she's starting to catch onto honorifics. She tosses a small smile towards the cat in Ryoji's lap before she looks back at her problem child.

The cat just keeps staring, loafing inside of a circular compartment of the nearby cat tree. She blinks at the slowly, so that's something. Marcille just knows that the moment she tries to approach it, the cat will bolt. ]

Mistress Meowser actually reminds me a lot of someone I knew back in my world.

[ She looks back at Ryoji. ]

Her name was Izutsumi. It took her a little while, but she warmed up to me and my friends eventually.

[ She looks back at Meowser, looking wistful. ]

I took care of her a lot myself. She was really young, after all. Deep down, she was really sweet.

[ he nods at her words, as if to confirm he had. ] Though, it feels like a long time ago already. [ however it worked out, it's true that they also were supplied a decent amount of downtime. ]

... If you want. [ he doesn't deny her if just because he sees her mentioning that as an act of good will. similar to her original offer. hence, from under the jacket he's wearing, he pulls out the garment of clothes in question. ] But, I might owe you another one depending how this goes.

[ She lets him spread the two pieces out over the table.

Yikes. The picture was definitely blurry. She picks up a piece and examines a few holes. ]

You really did rip them, huh? What happened to these?

Oh, I used my powers.

[ he looks down at his hand momentarily, holding it tightly into a fist before releasing the tension. he then looks back to her. ] Sometimes the sleeves get in the way, so I tore it off.

[ he says this as if he's done it time and time again. ]

[ DOES HE JUST... HULK OUT...? ]

If you think you might use your powers, why wear something with sleeves in the first place?

[ now that he's been called hulk twice in this game, i have to drop. ]

It's not like I use certain skills in every instance. I'm also used to wearing what I wear.

[ maybe if he stopped being the hulk people wouldn't call him that? ]

But isn't it better to plan for that possibility instead of fixing your clothes every time...?

[ She shakes her head and gets back to examining. ]

Nevermind. I've had to mend clothes plenty of times before. I can take care of this, I think...

[ How badly damaged is this anyway ]

[ Mistress Meowser, a fickle lady...maybe Ryoji could try to scoop her up on Marcille's behalf, but even in his limited experience, he knows cats aren't quite so easily suggestible. If she even let her pick him up in the first place, she'd probably take off the moment he tried to hand her over.

But if she reminds Marcille of her friend, then they have to figure out something!!! This simply won't do. ]

How did you get your friend to eventually open up to you? Maybe you could try something similar with Mistress Meowser! Come to think of it...I think that's kind of how I earned Claw-chan's trust, too.

[ Clawrence butts his head up against Ryoji's palm insistently, eager for his continued attention. ]

I tried asking him lots of questions to learn everything I could about him. [ ... ] Which, I know sounds kind of weird, but...even if he didn't really understand me, I think he just got used to the sound of my voice eventually. Took comfort in it, even.

[ Marcille raises her eyes back to Ryoji, this time keeping them fixed on him and the friendly fellow curving under his hand. Her lips pull into a smile as she folds her arms over the table and leans forward to watch them. Mistress Meowser can wait for now. ]

Really? It's hard to believe he didn't trust you before. Maybe I should try that with her too... Most of the time I'm just whining at her.

[ Back to Ryoji. ]

You had to do something like that with a friend of yours too?

[ There is now! Assume Marcille is keeping it on hand for her. Hydration is important. If she's done with her soup for now, Marcille can also set that aside on her desk.

She stops abruptly at the question, again reminded that she's never been in love herself, but she is also still!! an expert!! She holds her chin and shuts her eyes, thinking. ]

I mean... Why shouldn't you want that? What's wrong with wanting it to go somewhere?

Edited 2024-05-02 05:56 (UTC)

For what it's worth, I find your whining charming!

[ Helping!! But he can also see why that may not win over a cat, where treats and toys have failed. His sunny gaze dims, for just a moment, fingers sinking deep into Clawrence's fur, before a wan smile bows his lips. ]

Yes, my... [ Is friend even the right word? It doesn't feel sufficient. ] Minato. You might have met him, he...was here, for a time. A little unreachable, a little...muted. But once he opened up, I found myself in a garden of color.

[ A pause, as he realizes something. ]

Maybe it's less that he let his guard down, and more that I learned how to really hear him. Maybe Moewser is telling you so many things, but your ears are still learning to listen for his voice.

[ damn... marcille only spitting facts.

he can't exactly disagree with her and so he temporarily seems to fall into silence. he guesses he never thought about clothes much beyond the initial function. they didn't always get in the way, either... ] Well, it's just what I normally wear beneath my normal clothes.

[ he means under his jacket or robe...

but, the damage is basically like if ... a nonhulk-like entity ripped their sleeve off. why does he suddenly feel bad. ]

[ NOO YUWON....!!! ):

That string of silence is a little long. When she looks up again from the damaged shirt, she can see how his expression suddenly dropped. She immediately shifts into comfort mode, waving her hand beside her face. ]

That's fine! It's really no big deal, you know? Things happen!

[ It gets a little awkward as the barista comes in to serve their drinks. Marcille politely thanks her before the barista walks off. Then she turns her attention back to Yuwon. ]

Um... Maybe this doesn't interest you, but I can teach you how to sew if you'd like? Just a few different stitches to fix things like this.

[ Her cheeks color a little bit BUT SHE LOOKS INDIGNANT. ]

You...! [ Huff! She drops it!! She knows his game by now. ]

Edited 2024-05-02 12:45 (UTC)

[ My Minato, huh...

She quiets down as she watches him and takes in every word. As Ryoji's attention falls to Claw-chan in his lap, he seems to drift off elsewhere in his thoughts, his smile muted and fond.

A garden of color. Ryoji speaks like a poet sometimes, and Marcille has slowly pieced together his sincerity behind his every word, even when he's flirting. This, though, seems like it runs deeper. Sunny Ryoji is more somber now.

Her own gaze softens. She sets the topic of Meowser aside for now. This relationship, like all others, is fascinating to her—but more importantly, this seems like something she'd like to know as Ryoji's friend. ]

I wasn't able to meet him, but I think I get what you mean. [ She nods. ] Some people just communicate differently, and it takes time to learn their language, right?

[ She softens her voice a little, looking back at Ryoji's hand on Claw-chan, who seems perfectly content. She can hear those purrs. ]

I'm sorry he left. It sounds like he was important to you.

[ closed ] catchall

ISHMAEL 🍽️ DOWNTIME MINGLE #2

YUWON 🍽️ DOWNTIME MINGLE #2

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late april!

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NOT THE CATS

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1/2

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