synflux | [closed/open] and to all those dear to me

Edited 2024-11-04 22:03 (UTC)

[ After the whole confrontation with Ratio and his gaggle of vexing allies Godzilla was intent on despondently snoozing in his room for the rest of the day. Maybe the rest of the week. He felt awful for a lot of reasons, his body is still hurting from his surgeries, he's exhausted from the constant plague of night terrors, and now he feels vaguely ill thanks to the residual effects of having the ever living daylights shocked out of him.

He isn't expecting anyone to dare bother him, not after his very public display of his growing distaste for humanity, so when there's a knock on his door he's both surprised and a little annoyed. He doesn't pick his head up from where he lies curled up on himself like a snoozing cat, he barely has the energy to do so in the first place, but he does grumble out in response. ]

I am in an ill-mood for further discussion. Whomever you are, leave.

[ There's a pause outside the door to both wait for his answer and to digest it. Lucy sighs silently and awkwardly rubs her arm as she watches the door. Of course he doesn't want to see anyone. She wouldn't want to either. ]

Sorry, Godzilla-sama. I just wanted to check in on you. [ After all of that, how could she not want to make sure? ] Wanted to see how you were doing.

[ If anything was going to get him to perk up at all it's that voice. Belatedly he remembers she was going to come over, share food and entertainment. Should he be surprised she'd still do so after everything?

No, he shouldn't be. Kaede is different from the others. Dependable, kind, true to herself. Like Gigan and Godzilla she is a Titan, she sits apart from the others. ]

Ah. Little Titan. I would not expect you to have knocked. [ He lets out a grunt of discomfort as he picks up his upper body, lounging a little more alertly. ] You are always welcome within my nest, I have stated this before. You may simply enter at any time you wish.

[ Another sigh, this time of relief. Lucy opens the door and shuffles inside with a bag in-hand and a blanket slung over her shoulder. Even from a distance of a meter or two, the bag in her hands smells of fried dumplings. A thick, slightly greasy scent of cooked meat, herbs, and spices. ]

Everyone's been getting in your face today...figured I'd be polite.

[ As the door closes behind her, she holds up the bag with a cheeky grin. ]

Would you believe there's a vendor that sells these for 1000 Kryptos a bag? There's at least fifty dumplings in here.

It is appreciated though unnecessary. You are Kin, you come and go as it pleases you.

[ The smell of pleasantly greasy food and the sight of by far his favorite person has Godzilla further raise himself from his bed, tail twitching with eagerness.

The big guy is still decidedly blue scaled and feathered, not to mention possessing the longer hooked fangs that protrude past his lips marking his affliction, but all of that combined can't curb his enthusiasm when it comes to food. ]

Indeed? That is quite the theft of value. You have made it as if the banded robber. [ A steal, made out like a bandit. book. he needs a book. ]

Damn right I did. Maybe I should swing by there later to get even more.

[ But for now, she comes right up beside the relaxing lizard and plops herself down next to him. ]

This stuff will keep my blood sugar up while you get your food too. No problem.

[ Because, of course, she didn't forget that he'll need food by way of blood. And the more food she eats with iron in it, the less anemic she'll be once he's finished! Simple!! ]

Ah. The blood.

[ He'd been trying not to think about that. Once she's flopped down Godzilla proceeds to plop his head right down on her lap, letting out an exasperated snort of smoke. ]

Would that we could bring the accursed canid kaiju back from its end so as we might kill it once more. To have our very beings changed by it and humans that followed it is an insult I ill-like.

Right? I'd love to give it a good beating myself. And a bullet between the eyes. [ She pauses, then smirks a bit and points to her forehead. ] Or right here.

[ A morose joke at her own injury? Yeah, but she feels she's more than entitled to it. ]

But it's only temporary, right? You've been in bigger scraps than this.

[ She opens the bag and slides a dumpling into her mouth. It's still hot but not burning, and the mixture of spices and meats blend together nicely on her tongue. ]

[ On the one hand he's glad she doesn't push the blood issue, it still unsettles him to think he'll have to take hers, almost as much as it unsettles him that he enjoyed it back in the village. He's a little unsettled by Kaede's flippant reference to her mutilation, mind you, but if she can joke about it perhaps it's not so bad...? ]

Indeed. Ghidorah and the Skarred one both were greater threats.

[ With the bag open Godzilla starts to sniff the air as the food's scent fills it. His tail starts up twitching as he glances up at his kin and watches her eat. ]

You are recovering well, Kin of my Soul?

As well as I can be.

[ That's the truth of it, at least. She holds out a dumpling for him, though part of her wonders if he'll take it since he needs blood more so than actual food these days. ]

Forehead still itches at times, and the scar's going to be nasty, but I can deal.

Edited 2024-11-27 03:44 (UTC)

There is little shame in scars. They show one has fought hard and prevailed, yes?

[ Vampirism be damned, the dumpling smells good. He carefully snaps it up out of her hand, plucking it out of her palm with his front teeth before tilting his head back to get it down. He doesn't just swallow of course, Godzilla takes his time to chew on the fried morsel and let the flavors settle across his tongue.

The spices bring out the meat's natural flavor fantastically! Godzilla purrs and thumps his tail in approval as he pushes his head forward, nuzzling his snout against Lucy's now empty hand. ]

What of your... hands, yes? They are truly lost to you?

[ Scars shouldn't be a mark of shame, but for her, they're a gateway to questions she doesn't want to answer. All the more reason to keep her hair long. Hide away this ugly mark that remains as a reminder of what was taken from her.

She only nods to answer him. Nods and brushes her fingers over his snout to return his nuzzling. ]

I'm just like everyone else now, I guess. No powers... [ She snorts out a laugh, but there's no real humor behind it. ] I could pass for "normal" if I wanted.

[ The loss in her is obvious, from her tone to her body language the wound given to her clearly runs far deeper than thee mark upon her forehead. Part of her has been ripped away, her very being damaged by humans.

With a grunt he half picks himself up so his head becomes level with hers. Reptilian as his eyes may be they're remarkably capable of showing compassion. ]

"Normal", "like everyone else", bah. You are still yourself, you are Kaede-hime. [ He reaches up and proceeds to do something she usually does to him. He boops her. A clawed finger gently tapping the tip of her nose. ] It is not powers that make you, it is the essence of your being that makes you. Your heart and soul are still those of a Titan, none can take that away.

[ The pinkette grunts at the boop, and her nose twitches some afterward as if beset by an itch. Then, she laughs. This time the noise has actual mirth behind it! ]

Y-Yeah...I shouldn't really mope. Not very princess-like...huh?

[ The genuine laughter is a much more welcome sound, in fact alongside her singing it's one of Godzilla's favorite things to hear. ]

Hmm. Sorrow and regret are natural things to experience. Yet one must watch to not wallow in them, yes?

[ He moves to gently rest his forehead against hers, his eyes closing as a sound half rumble and half trill bubbles in his throat. She may recognize it as one of the comforting nosies he made for the eggs a few months back. ]

However we are alive, Little Titan. So long as one lives they can change, they may grow. In truth one is only as powerless as they allow themselves to be.

[ Kaede doesn't want to admit as much, but she's plenty abashed to think back on herself. How she'd wallow very much in that sorrow at times. Let it rule her. Even when she convinced herself she didn't care, the opposite was true.

"You're just making life easier for people who want you dead, and for what? They aren't even around to know that you're miserable."

Part of her wishes Pavia could've met Godzilla. He and his shadow wolves would've had a field day with the big guy, she's certain. ]

Yeah...

[ She leans toward him to return the head bump. Right before reaching up to lightly squish the end of his snout with her palm.

She's alive. So long as she's alive, she'll keep moving. Until her feet give out and she can no longer move... ]

It's hard to undo that kind of thinking. I'm sure you know...trying to adapt to a new situation when it's so different to everything you've faced before.

[ Squishing Godzilla's snout has his tail thumping happily. ]

Indeed. Such change is... difficult. You know well how it has plagued my own mind.

[ Rather than let melancholy set in however he lets out another trill and presses his snout further against her palm. ]

However we do not face it alone, yes? The support of our dear ones is the strongest weapon in such matters. As you have stated before, there is little the two of us are unable of overcoming together.

Edited (weap9n) 2024-12-27 08:33 (UTC)

[ The more he presses to her palm, the bolder she gets with messing with him. Her fingers wrap around one of his longer teeth and lightly push on it, just enough to give his head a little tilt. ]

Mm, that's right. Nothing has to be done alone anymore. [ She clicks her tongue. ] "Teamwork makes the dream work," or however that saying goes, I guess.

[ Her boldness is rewarded! The big guy offers no resistance, his muscles relax letting Lucy tilt his head. She could probably lead him around like that. ]

The dream work...? An odd saying, is not every dream a unique thing to each being? Surely there is no singular dream that requires working towards.

[ While he tries to figure that one out he turns his head and opens up his mouth, placing Lucy's wrist between his teeth. What follows is the kind of light pressing of teeth against her skin one that cats tend to do.

There's absolutely no risk of injury from it, Godzilla's just... being himself. It's easy to be himself around Lucy, he doesn't need to curb his instincts or more "animal" behavior. She won't judge him and he knows that. ]

[ She laughs at his gnawing. It's a short bark of a noise, but her fingers move without fear as they continue to grab at his teeth. Whatever little marks or dents they leave on her skin never last, so she's not bothered in the slightest. ]

"Dream" means a goal. Like when you want to work somewhere and you call it your "dream job" or a house you really want to live in is your "dream house."

So, working together, a world without those invading kaiju is a dream that can come true, right?

[ The continued playing with his teeth gets him to growl low on his throat, the playful kind of growl though, one accompanied by a happily twitch tail. ]

Ah, then yes. Indeed, so long as we continue to battle alongside another this world shall find itself free.

[ He says that with very bit of confidence anyone would expect from him. Though it may be harder than he first imagined he's still certain victory will be theirs.

But another thought is sparked. One that has him slow in his playful gnawing and tilt his head slightly to the side. ]

An inquiry. Have you given thought on what path to take once the kaiju are defeated?

[ The question stalls her thoughts more than she expects. It leaves her chewing her lip as she tries to picture herself that far away in the future. It'd have to be years from now by all logical metrics. ]

I don't know. I've never really thought about things further than two weeks away.

[ When every day could be your last, living at any other time than in the moment was a luxury she could never afford. ]

But I think, one day, it'd be nice to live out by the beach. Collecting seashells, painting, listening to the waves...nothing to worry about except the weather.

[ Their similarities are at play again. Like her Godzilla's never paid much mind to the future before, it never really mattered. If he wasn't fighting to protect his world he was sleeping, if he wasn't sleeping he was patrolling, that's all there was. No lofty ideals, no "hobbies", no interests. Patrol, fight, sleep. That was it. So much is different now, he has interests, hobbies... dreams. ]

That... hmm. It suits you, Kaede-hime.

[ He ceases his playful gnawing so he can nod, sagely. There's something about her that just invokes the ocean to begin with. Calm, quiet, pleasant to listen to... but capable of great violence and rage at times. Yes, the beach is a fitting place for her. ]

Perhaps when we next head to Okinawa you should investigate the shore and find an area to claim as a lair of your own?

[ She mulls over the suggestion with another thoughtful hum. She does recall even back in her time, Okinawa was mentioned as a prime vacation spot. Rich in cultural heritage, and people were living there since forever ago. Even now, it's a place she enjoys visiting for its pleasant weather and good fishing compared to Tokyo. ]

Doesn't sound bad at all. It's a good sized island, and there are plenty of old houses there that can be fixed up good as new.

[ As Lucy talks Godzilla's tail starts thumping against the bed in lazy approval. ]

Indeed. There is a variety of prey and foraging as well. If the rest of the pack make good on their plans it shall be... quite pleasant.

[ He trails off, a troubled mood settling in. The rest of the pack, the other Outsiders. He's not exactly welcome amongst them anymore now is he? Okinawa might in fact not be a place he can visit for some time.

The big guy sighs and lays back down, resting his head once more in Lucy's lap. ]

It shall make for a good home, I am certain.

[ continued from here! ]

[ Five minutes is more than enough time for the both of them. Lucy's been throwing assorted bags into the trunk while talking to Ishmael, so by the time the redhead appears, she's just finished securing extra space for her belongings.

The hover car is pretty standard compared to the rest of the others. Fire engine red, sleek with rounded corners for better aerodynamics, and though it doesn't need them, it does have tires to sit on while parked. And presumably for a more relaxed stroll on quiet streets for those less inclined to constant air maneuvers. ]

Not bad, huh?

Edited 2024-11-17 03:33 (UTC)

Not bad at all.

[ stashes her duffel bag into the trunk as well before... hm. ]

I should take over the driver's seat. Want to ride shotgun?

[ at least lucy won't have to think too much while ishmael is here to accompany her, despite how last-minute this trip is. ]

[ There's a moment where Lucy gives Ishmael a genuine pouting look. The kind of look that says "but it's my car" and "I can drive plenty good!"

But, she gives up the very next second and flops into the passenger seat with a "hah." ]

It's got autopilot too. So if you get tired you can hit the button.

[ SHE CAN HAVE HER TURN ANYTIME IT'S HER CAR but ish doesn't plan on getting one anytime soon, so. ]

Autopilot, huh. If only the vans we had to drive through Vegas came with those...

[ oh well. she's going to take control of the wheel for now, pulling themselves out of the parking space and out the garage and into the city. ]

Keep an eye out for the nearest convenience store. Let me treat you.

[ Ugh...the vans...her face blanches from just the mention. Looking for a good store is a much needed distraction. Easy yet difficult. Japan has thousands of them. ]

Lawson always has good stuff. Stop by one of those.

[ beat ]

I'll try not to make your wallet cry.

Yeah, yeah. We're only going to get food anyway, so don't get your hopes up too high.

[ a lawson comes into view, and the car promptly pulls up and lets them out of there and into the conbini. it shouldn't take too long for ishmael to make it out of there with her own plastic bag full of instant food, and she's even munching on a croquette by the time she's made her purchases. ]

How long does it take us from here to there, again?

[ It's weird to be in the passenger seat of her own car. But honestly? It's nice to let someone else do the driving. Just this once. ]

Should only be an hour or two, I think.

[ Her eyes flicker as she uses the implant to check the map. They should be able to avoid traffic, so she can't see the trek taking them more than that much time. ]

[ continued from here! ]

[ Lucy doesn't reply after that. Too busy walking, thinking. It's all she's been doing for the last couple of days, but she can't exactly turn her brain off. Between the constant noise of her own thoughts to make up for the lack of The Voice and the in-fighting between the Outsiders, she's jittery and anxious in a way she hates.

She almost completely passes up Elan's door in Brimstone. She's not used to wandering this hall yet, though she can hazard a guess that it's not the one with the absent door.

Nine, ten, eleven...twelve. She has the fleeting thought of "maybe I should knock," but instead opens the door without bothering. It should be fine? She hopes. ]

El?

[ Elan is sitting on the windowsill at the far side of the room, one arm draped over his bent knee, looking contemplative as he stares at the city lights through the large pane of glass. It's been a hell of a month. Hell of a year, really. His head turns when the door opens and he visibly brightens to see Kaede.

Getting to his feet, he makes his way over to her and the first thing he does is take her into a hug. Is it strange to miss someone he's seen less than a day ago? Ever since she was spirited away by the cult, he's felt their separation more acutely. ]

Hey. You look like you've had better days.

[ She smiles upon seeing him. He's always so pensive, thoughtful, and she wonders what it is he thinks about so deeply. What is he up to behind those eyes that see so much?

Even now, the hug takes her aback. Her eyes widen as he nears, and she's struck for what to do for a second, two, three, before her arms slide up around him to return the embrace. ]

All my best days have been here, so...I dunno about that.

[ Such a dour statement, but she says it with a smile. More so, a smile that widens, peaceful, as she rests her head against his chest. Maybe it's dangerous to grow so accustomed to holding him, to taking refuge in his warmth. What if he disappears one day and leaves an ache she can't fill?

Somewhere, she can hear a voice like Nyuu's encouraging her. She should live in the moment and cherish it, before...if it ever fades away. ]

[ Elan drapes himself on her as if seeking anchor, his fingers threading through her hair. He's never been shy about touch, craves it like anyone starved for affection would, but now there's a sense of desperation driving him, too. Who knows if he'll still be able to hold her a year or even a month from now? Lately, he can't help but think about all the ways life can be cut short, as nonsensically as falling asleep and waking up in the hands of a cult, as instantly as a laser fired into the cockpit of a mobile suit. Knowing their uncertain futures makes him want to cherish every moment, to carve out a little more time together out of their limited time on earth.
]

Your days must have been pretty shit if you consider this good, but I get it. [ He says with a chuckle. She wouldn't be Kaede if she wasn't morose. ] It's the same for me. My best days have been here. You're some of my best days.

[ He's more right than he should be. Her life was the worst, but...it's made her appreciate what she has now. ]

They were. Every day of my life was...terrible.

[ Kaede sighs against his shoulder. The touch of his hands in her hair sends a rush of warmth through her just as easily as it sends shivers down her spine. ]

I never thought I'd be so positive like that for someone else, but...I'm glad.

[closed/open] and to all those dear to me

Godzilla, Nov 3rd

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Ishmael

Nov 09

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Elan, Nov 4th

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