( open ) may catchall

[memors]

WHO: ryoji + you!
WHAT: post-surgery wuh-ohs, ducks, and some gardening
WHERE: around base
WHEN: first couple weeks of may
WARNINGS: cw for discussion of surgery, needles, etc.


a. post-op glitches

[ So, as it turns out, the only thing worse than signing up for two enhancement procedures at once is dealing with the aftermath when your brain is fried.

No matter how approachable and grounded Ryoji is, even he can't escape from his hubris, and having never experienced significant pain in his human form, he didn’t…think it would be all that bad. Uncomfortable, maybe, inconvenient, yes…but he completely did not anticipate the way that the pain fully overrides any other cognitive thought in his brain. It hurts, to move, to think, to simply be conscious, and he has only stumbled out of the medbay for a few moments after being released that the impact of the double surgeries fully overloads him at once.

For a few long, untenable moments, it’s like he blacks out completely – and when he comes to again, staring at the hands that caught up, it’s like he doesn’t recognize them. Are they his own?

A simple question carrying a lot of weight, when he can’t remember anything about who he is or what he’s doing here. All he really seems to recall is that he was going somewhere, and given he just received a nice teleportation upgrade, well.

In attempting to find his destination by testing out this new power he can’t even remember how he got in the first place, he may just wind up in your room, looking half-dead (ha) and delirious. While he's usually in his human form, he may appear as a Shadow instead, without consciously making the effort to change. Whether you’re awake or asleep or even just heading back to your room yourself, he hardly seems to register another’s presence, instead muttering to himself: ]

No, this isn’t right…

[ He needs to go to…the top level of Tartarus, right? So why can't he remember how to get there? ]

b. duck tales

[ Well! Those were events that sure transpired, and while Ryoji is still feeling out some of his new abilities, he’s at least recovered enough from the surgeries that he’s back in his right mind and up and about again. Whether or not he should be, strictly speaking, remains to be seen! But whatever, it’s fine. Violet needs walkies.

Around the base, Ryoji can be encountered walking…a duck. A beautiful, newly acquired mandarin duck, wearing a jaunty little bow around her neck. Since Outsiders aren’t, you know, supposed to keep pets, strictly speaking, Ryoji has taken great care to plan routes for them that will hopefully avoid crossing paths with LILITH officers. However, Violet is as inquisitive and independent as her owner, and also a duck, so when she catches sight of your shoelaces or anything shiny you may have dropped on the ground, she waddles right over to pick at it with her beak, chirping with enthusiasm.

…Or that’s how it sounds to Ryoji, anyway. ]

Ah, hello there. I’d love to chat, but we have a schedule to keep…oh, but if you’d like to join us, you’d be more than welcome!

[ Who wouldn’t want to walk a duck?? And Ryoji is there, too, I guess. ]

c. flower gardening

[ At various points during the month, Ryoji can be found in the greenhouse, tending to some flowers. It’s a curious hobby that he’s picked up, one he didn’t expect to find himself so captivated by, and one that’s perhaps a bit ironic for him, all things considered – yet even given his proclivities, there’s something so captivating about the way life can bloom from a seed, with just a little sunlight and water, a little currency of time...

...and whatever mutant fertilizer they use in here, but that’s not important.

Whether you’re enjoying the plantlife independently or have approached to peek at the flowers that he tends to, Ryoji swiftly plucks one of the blossoms, sweeping down into a bow, and offers the flower to you with an outstretched hand. ]

Please, take this. You deserve it, as the only thing here that eclipses its beauty.

[ He’s feeling back to his usual self, it seems. ]

Comments

a

[enkefailin]

Whoa-

[so maybe he doesn't have the best reaction time on a good day... but also, it's impossible to avoid bumping into someone who literally just appeared right in front of him. oops!

on the upside, he's sober at the moment, not wobbly enough to tip right over; netzach reaches out to try to steady him after that brief impact, his brow furrowed as he looks him over.]

Hey, man, you're not looking so good.

[memors]

[ Thank goodness at least one of them is cognizant enough to stay upright, because it certainly isn't Ryoji. This power — has he always been able to do this? — is messy and unpredictable, leaving him nauseous every time he lands somewhere new, though then again, that could have as much to do with the surgery itself. Not that…he even remembers that happened. There’s just this dull ache kind of…everywhere…

His gaze dawns slowly on the unfamiliar face he’s run into, expression lilting to one side. ]

Oh — sorry, I didn’t see you…can you point me in the direction of Tartarus? Big, green tower that reaches into the sky? You can’t miss it.

[ The comment on how he looks goes completely unremarked upon. He’s fine!!! ]

[enkefailin]

Big green tower... I got bad news, man, ain't seen anything like that here.

[is this a hallucination thing? netzach squints as he peers at his face, waving a hand in front of it, checking his focus.]

If you hit your head on anything, you should probably say so.

a.

[laevateinns]

[ what the fuck

akechi blinks, looking up from the bed he’s lounging on to the shadow in front of him.

the fuck? where did it come from, why is it— whatever. no matter what, this can’t be good. ]

Fuck off. [ he murmurs as he stands up, assuming a position to summon his own persona. ]

this is how ryoji dies

[memors]

[ Had Akechi been in Minato’s place when Ryoji asked him to kill him, well…things probably would have gone very differently.

Fortunately for all involved, Akechi was not Ryoji’s wildcard. He doesn’t recognize the boy whose room he’s teleported into, even if there’s something distantly familiar about the way he’s readying himself to fight.

The fact that Ryoji can recognize it as readying for a fight is enough for him to draw his sword — not with intention to attack, but to defend, though whether or not Akechi recognizes that may depend on how threatened he already feels by the appearance of a Shadow in his bedroom. ]

Wait. There’s no need to fight. [ He…thinks. ] I’m looking for someplace. Could you…help me?

[ Kind of a big ask for a spooky, eldritch abomination but okay. ]

let's start with a as promised

[newphew]

---Ryoji!

[ yeah, he just blacked out in front of hunter's salad. in human form. and he wastes no time in rushing over to prop him up and support him. despite their height difference and hunter's general scrawniness, he's a surprisingly sturdy support. ]

What happened? Did someone hurt you?

[ there's an edge of panic to his voice. he's seen enough surgeries that he'll put two and two together pretty quickly, but for the moment, he doesn't clue in, just scanning ryoji from head to toe to look for!! injuries!! ]

our h/c time has come

[memors]

[ At least Ryoji is about a hundred pounds soaking wet, because as Hunter rushes over to catch him, he doesn’t have the energy to fight it even a little, allowing his weight to sag against the shorter boy. What’s that he called him…Ryoji? Is that…him? It sounds both pristine and profane at the same time, wearing such a human name. Wearing such human skin. ]

…Yes. [ WELL. Electively, but still??? ] Or…I think… [ A frustrated noise as he winces. ] I can’t…I can’t remember. But I believe all this was meant to happen. All is unfolding as was told by the Arcana…

[ bro really acting like he got the strong stuff for going through surgery with no anesthesia ]

Are you worried about me?

[ Like he’s never seen this sort of reaction before. ]

a............. haha no it's c i'm sorry

[elfsufficient]

[ Fern has taken to visiting the greenhouse quite a bit since her arrival a scant week or so ago... of all of the places on base, it's the most comforting to her, the place that reminds her most of the world she was torn away from.

Upon this visit, however, it seems there's company - and company she doesn't feel quite so comfortable with, after their first meeting. The sight of Ryoji turning himself into something so monstrous hasn't left her, and though she understands, deeply, that he's an Outsider just like her, and that she only managed to defeat that monster because he was there... She still has so many questions, and she's none the wiser to the Events Transpiring for his part.

At first, she thinks to simply leave him to his own devices and to go about her own business, too, but it seems he has other ideas. Rigidly she stands when he sweeps into a graceful bow, her gaze falling to the proffered flower, but her arms remaining firmly pinned to her sides.

Her expression pinches. ]

What did you just say?

[ She doesn't look impressed....... ]

jebaited on these neopets

[memors]

[ As far as Ryoji is concerned, their previous encounter has all but been swept under the rug, bygones are bygones, and such. After all, he’s used to such reactions to his transformation — really, it’s far stranger when he encounters someone who doesn’t immediately react with fear or alarm in their eyes. Taking it in stride as ever, he sees no reason for that to preclude hitting on her. Maybe it’s all the more reason for it? He can be a bit of a masochist.

Especially given the way she reacts to his proffered blossom. It’s a lovely, delicate little thing, rich and warm in its bright color, though Ryoji has neglected to learn the language of flowers just yet. If he did, he might become a little too powerful.

Undeterred by her flat, unimpressed look, he goes so far as to lower himself to one knee, and reaches for her hand to press the blossom into her palm, if she’ll allow it. ]

Sorry, I might’ve stumbled over my words a bit, enamored as I am by your appearance. You know, Fern-san, I can’t help but notice we both visit this place rather a lot.

[ They have at least one thing in common, which is enough to pursue romance? Probably. ]

it's B time

[the_fourteenth]

[Hell yeah Raidou wants to join you on your walking a duck! You have a duck, Ryoji. Raidou can't help but give them both a smile.]

I'd be glad to. You know, if Malkuth-san catches you with this, she may get jealous.

[memors]

[ At the mention of Malkuth’s name, Ryoji only brightens further, a veritable star in the sky. Oho, little does Raidou know… ]

Actually, it’s all thanks to her that we’re both the proud parents of a set of ducklings. This is Violet, and hers is Mauve!

[ They’re a matching set, and yes, they may have gotten a little too into this duck adoption thing. ]

Would you like to pet her? She's very gentle!

a i'll tag you on another one too i'm greedy

[ignoreher]

[ ... mostly since the only person that Generally spooks her with teleportation is kaito, and ryoji he is not. well. the shadow is also not human ryoji, but at least malkuth recognizes him. the suddenness makes her jump, the sudden crowd to her room knocks mauve's duckbed off her nightstand along with some plushes, and

malkuth is just thankful that citrine's roost is beside her cup of pens, blissfully unaware, though mauve dives under her desk with a trill. her hand presses to her chest, just as it had just not so long ago, and she exhales the startled jitters out of her heart; her foot rests back against the duck comfortingly, it's okay. it's okay. ]

You're awfully dressed up today, Ryoji.

[ in a way... but as ever, malkuth remains unafraid as she turns her seat around and studies him. it's hard to tell but. he seems a little lost, in a way, his soft mutterings only adding to it. so she'll hold out her hands for him to take, palms up.

no, it doesn't matter how he suddenly appeared in her room. what matters is why. ]

Did something happen? We haven't been called on a mission, as far as I've heard...

unhinges my jaw

[memors]

[ It’s strange — how on a surface level, he knows this isn’t where he meant to arrive, that this room isn’t the destination he feels deep in his gut that he needs to return to, and yet at the same time…isn’t it? There’s a sense of belonging here, as the girl — human? — reaches out for his hands.

This is someone he knows. This is someone important to him, that he keeps within the impossible sea of his paradoxical heart. He can’t smile while in this form, but there is something that relaxes in the rigidness of his posture at the sight of her. He still needs to continue his journey, but for a moment, respite is here.

From what, he still isn’t sure, but when she calls him by that name — Ryoji — it feels so familiar…so that’s the name he’s known by. ]

A mission? Are you…searching for Tartarus, too? For Nyx?

[ No, that isn’t right…a shake of his head, as he at last slips his gloved hands into her own. ]

You aren’t afraid.

[ Shouldn’t she be? ]

c twirls hair

[ignoreher]

[ aaaaaaaand he seems himself again. though she'd known he was better when he'd come to collect violet, there had still been something a little... unsteady, in a way; malkuth's cheeks warm as she squats on the ground, setting her camera aside to take the blossom from him and twirl it between her fingers. ]

The more lines I get from you, the cornier I realize they are.

[ but that's an affectionate tease, sincere as his compliments ever are to make others smile. they always make her brighten up, biting back a grin. ]

Got a back-up plan for March? You know she'll shoot you down.

[memors]

[ He can’t help a bright chuckle in return, self-aware enough to recognize how over-the-top he can be sometimes, and yet so long as it wins reactions like that out of Malkuth, he sees no reason to stop. Satisfied, he stands up straight again, one hand ruffling the hair at his neck, cheeks tinged just slightly pink. ]

She will, won’t she? She seemed to like my lines that were less outright flirting and more genuine compliments, so that’s the angle I’ll need to take with her.

[ She’s a tough cookie to crack! And even if it’s just for the principle of the matter, Ryoji would like to develop his skill until he could make any person swoon. ]

What about you, though? You don’t seem to mind the corny ones.

[ He’s noticed! ]

b as a man with the username rubber ducky he is legally required to be here--

[curingidiocy]

[ Oh, hello duck. Despite Ratio's appearance and personality, he does have a few quirks, such as a propensity for rubber ducks in the bath. His fondness for them also extends to real ducks, of course, but this is a personal preference he rarely shares with others.

But still, a duck on base. And accompanied by someone he presumes to be its owner. Last he checked, pets weren't allowed on base, so he raises an eyebrow at the teen. He does not, however, comment on the foolishness of the idea. Rather, he is intrigued. At the invitation, he stands up from his seat. ]

Very well. I shall accompany you for a short time.

[ There's a look on his face that suggests he's curious about Ryoji's plan to keep the duck hidden. ]

rubber ducky, you're the one...

[memors]

[ It’s not the best thought-out plan in the world. Malkuth planted the idea of pet coparenting in Ryoji’s head, and he’s run with it ever since, regardless of the risks. So long as none of LILITH’s internal staff goes off of their usual routines and schedules, it should be fine — and even if they do, Ryoji does favors for them all the time. Maybe they’ll look the other way…

So he hopes, at least. In any case, there’s no time like the present to bask in pet duck ownership. Ryoji offers Ratio a sunny grin as he agrees to join him, starting to walk once more. Violet seems to get the hint, waddling along just a few paces ahead of them both, on a mission to find the next shiny thing she can put in her mouth. ]

Wonderful! This is Violet, by the way. One of LILITH’s newest recruits! …Though if you could keep her presence a secret from the staff, I would appreciate it.

[ Ratio doesn’t seem like a narc, but it can’t hurt to be too careful. ]

a just kidding I had to

[bowtography]

[ March is groggily falling asleep, actually, but even she's not that blind enough to miss a sudden presence right by the bed and she hasn't actually seen him in this form before, so as he appears and she jerks awake, her bow is forming in her hand and she's letting out a panicked shriek, scrambling backwards.

Amazing. ]

sage nod

[memors]

[ Well, at least her reflexes are sharp?? Were Ryoji in his right mind (and right form), he’d likely turn this into an opportunity to compliment her physique. Is that better or worse than appearing without warning next to her bed in monster form???

The hulking figure at least doesn’t appear poised to attack, instead casting a look upwards at the corners of the ceiling rather than the girl aiming a bow at him. ]

…Sorry. I think I took a wrong turn…

[ …Or did he? There’s something familiar about her, something fond. ]

c-b combo-wombo

[icyspicy]

[ The greenhouse is also one of Winter’s favorite haunts, a little slice of green and life in a city made of neon and steel. He’s probably glimpsed Ryoji around a time or two, but they haven’t strictly crossed paths until…

Well, he appreciates a good line, but he won’t be taking that flower. ]

You’re not wrong, but perhaps you ought to save that for someone else.

[memors]

[ Maybe so, but a little practice can’t hurt? And it’s not exactly wrong, either. Winter may be an older gentleman, but Ryoji can still appreciate how handsome he is!

Although instead he says: ]

Ah, very true, I wouldn’t want to make your beau jealous.

[ Said with a knowing chuckle, just as Violet comes waddling over to honk at his heels. Maybe she ought to have this flower instead. ]

c.... but also eyeing b for mauve's sister

[penaltypoints]

[ Yesod was admittedly curious about an Outsider busying himself with caring for the plants in the greenhouse — or a specific section of it, apparently. A closer look may have been a mistake, however, and there was no chance of it answering any of his questions to begin with. Now he has one of those flowers held out to him, for some inexplicable reason. Its beauty won't last long; it will wither.

He doesn't reach for it, arms crossed instead. ]

Perhaps you should confirm the recipient's identity first.

[ Before more flowers are sacrificed needlessly. ]

c with guest appearance by mauve's sister, nods

[memors]

[ ...He should? That Yesod doesn't reach for the flower isn't that surprising — honestly, nine times out of ten Ryoji's flirting is flat-out rejected, sometimes with bodily injury, so he's used to it. This particular response earns Yesod a quizzical look, however. What does that have to do with anything??? ]

Do I need to know your identity in order to find your handsome features captivating?

[ Yes, he's shameless, but he also is genuinely asking! ]

→ hunter, vegas time babieeee

[memors]

[ Sometime after the Outsiders have checked in for their stay at the hotel in Vegas, and well after they have settled in for the night, and well after they should be asleep...Ryoji is not asleep. Shadows don't need to sleep, even if he finds something novel and human in doing so. Tonight, he's on high alert, in an unfamiliar city, and...

In an unfamiliar circumstances. The time he spent inside Minato's soul notwithstanding, he has never shared a room with another person before. It's not something he minds — truthfully, he's become so hungry for company that that keeps him awake, too — but it keeps his mind racing, buzzing, eager to dissect it and see what it's all about.

Which means...standing over Hunter and watching him sleep. Or...presumably, he's sleeping. If he's not, he'll find a pair of eerily blue eyes gazing at him through the darkness. He doesn't speak, he's just...there...watching...

In some ways, he has been so poorly socialized, and this is one of them. ]

IT'S TIME

[newphew]

[ hunter barely sleeps at the best of times, and this is.... well, it isn't the worst of times, but it's a weird and unfamiliar place, and he is similarly!! on alert!! but the long nights of his self-imposed duty to go on patrol and the hustle and bustle of vegas does take its toll, and hunter does sink into his designated bed area with one arm nestled around flapjack. he's asleep and curled up for maybe an hour when he seems to sense something weird (tm) going down, and blearily opens his eyes.... ]

[ to find ryoji staring at him. then he's jumping up in a start like a cat in front of a cucumber, almost falling right off the bed and having to cling to the sheets to stay on ]

What are you doing?!

[ flapjack is still sleeping, for the record ]