rottencactus

No, no, no. [Rinne shakes his head.] Guys like me, makes no sense if I ask her about that shit. She'll think I want something — which I do! It's so fucking obvious that I do.

But you and Nazu-chan are the only nerds who know what she's talking about, and between the two of you, you look more desperate for a friend. She won't suspect a thing!

[Well. He is a pitiable insect and if pathetic was what Rinne was hoping for, it's not like Mayoi can correct him. Ah, but that does bring up something else.]

If she finds me repulsive, and rejects me outright, then there will be little I can do. [A beat, he bites his lip and looks up at Rinne.] T-That is a risk, that you should know up front. I...

[This is for Aira-san. And for Yodaka-san. And for everyone else on the island. He knows that the island should be enough of a reason, but he is a selfish person, and he knows his priorities are with his own. He'd be less willing had someone precious to him not be at stake. Since it is, he cares very little for his own safety.]

[Besides, it's not like deceiving others is new to him. Lying is his second nature, if it should be anyone it should be him, being the dirty one so the others won't have to.]

...Fine. I'll do what I can.

Oh? You're surprisingly easy to talk to, Mayoi-chan. Why can't I get Niki to bend a little more like you, huh? You cutie!

[Rinne playfully pokes at Mayoi's cheek. Mayoi probably doesn't like that, but Mayoi probably doesn't get to be this close with a lot of people anyway, so it doesn't matter.

It's Rinne who is bothered. He's bothered by way Mayoi caves in too easily, annoyed by the way he accepts every word Rinne says in the moment. It's just second nature to him, Rinne knows. But that's why he can't leave it alone.]

Anyway, you're not repulsive. You're always lookin' out for the other idols from ES. You don't put 'em in danger at all if you can help it. You've still got scars from when the dogs attacked, don't you?

[He still doesn't know how to apologize for that.]

That's my bad. You haven't made mistakes like that.

[Please stop poking him.]

I-It ...it is nothing about bending. We both want the same thing.

[While it might seem like Mayoi is being pushed into Rinne's whims, he does really see the logic in it. He doesn't want to do this at all, in fact the idea of trying to keep up some kind of farce of friendship to someone who may be ...lonely like he is, makes him feel rather nasty. But.

But if feeling nasty is the price to pay for saving Aira-san, then so be it.]

[Anyway, time to address this elephant in the room now, he sees. He's wondered if Rinne might come to him eventually, though he himself was content to let it lie.]

I'll offer you the same words I offered Hiiro-san and Tsukasa-san on that matter, Amagi-san, so I hope you will listen.

[He is strangely serious about this, pulling away from Rinne's hold enough to face him.]

You only did what you thought was right. Any person in your shoes, with any capacity for compassion and empathy, would have made the choice you did. I do not hold either of you responsible for the grimm. That responsibility falls with the force that brought us here to begin with. Do you understand?

Edited (i swear i can speak english) 2023-01-15 05:22 (UTC)

Tiger-san said that, too. But this ain't just about the hounds.

[ Rinne looks away, if only for a moment. ]

... You haven't abandoned Hiiro like I did. If he's got friends who can do half the shit I never did for him, I don't give a fuck what else they are.

[It is good that someone else shares his opinion on that matter, since it is not one he is willing to bend on.]

[That next part causes him to fall silent and a somewhat pained expression crosses his face.]

I ...I have been saved by Hiiro-san, from making such terrible mistakes.

[The coffin-- if Hiiro had not been there, he might have done exactly that, in his grief he could hardly see much else.]

I am still a wretched person-- no, something much lower than that. To call me a person at all is simply too much credit- but ...for Hiiro-san, I've resolved to become better. To be someone worthy of the kindness and love he has given me time and again.

[...]

Is it not the same for you?

Yeah. [Immediately. For all his life.] I owe him... Nah, this ain't about owing him anything.

When you love somebody, wanting to show 'em your good side just comes naturally.

[He claps a hand on Mayoi's shoulder.]

Yep! I think we're done here. Don't forget to learn how to summon a demon, or I'll burn your house down!

[So now Mayoi can say Rinne forced him to do it later, if it comes to that.]

[A small smile graces his face, at that. If they can agree on nothing else, it’s surely that they love Hiiro and would do just about anything for him. Of this, Mayoi is very certain.]

[With a small eep! as Rinne claps his shoulder, Mayoi turns to stare at him wide-eyed and confused.]

A-Ah!? What? Y—

[But then it sinks in and Mayoi realizes what he’s doing. Rinne’s point in time is before theirs, so it’s not like Rinne knows that Mayoi knows his game. Sigh.]

That would be a terrible tragedy, you know, considering Hiiro-san lives in my house, too. Ah, but I suppose now I’ve no choice.

[A pause, and for a moment he wars with himself, but before he can stop himself, the words tumbled out.]

Rinne-san. Before I go, would you grant a selfish request…?

[Yes, exactly. Even if this is Mayoi's decision, he has no say in the matter to begin with. Oh, how terrible! Will anyone stop Amagi Rinne's tyranny? ... Well, even if Mayoi doesn't buy it, he seems to get the picture.

But now Mayoi's the one asking for something, and Rinne couldn't be more curious.]

Ah? The Ayase Mayoi, asking Rinne-kun for a favor? Now what could that be? Money is completely out of the question, by the way. Not because I don't got any, it's just totally useless.

[Mayoi will do little a pretend, as a treat, just for Rinne. But in return—]

I-It isn’t money, don’t worry. It’s ah …

[…What a time to get cold feet. He’s already said it, now he really can’t take it back. Of course, without fail this topic get’s his heart racing and his nerves lit up. He steels himself.]

…I would like for you to hold onto a story for me. It’s… It’s something I’ve wanted to tell Hiiro-san for a long time, but I’ve been a terrible coward about it. I think …that if this goes well, I should like to tell him, but…

[If it doesn’t.]

But until then, I would like it very much if someone could hold it for me until that time. [Just in case.]

Ah, and perhaps, you may also find the story interesting.

I like stories. [As Mayoi knows.] I ain't too used to being the audience, so I hope you'll make it worth my while. ...Well, a story coming from a real mysterious guy's super worth it to me already. Gyahahaha!

[Besides, it's not every day that someone offers to tell him a secret. Trust is nice, especially when it isn't born out of something as pragmatic as a contract. And if this is about one of Hiiro's friends, of course Rinne would like to know.]

Hit me, Mayoi-chan. Everything you got, I'll take it.

I-It is a work in progress, so I hope you will forgive me if you find it dull.

[…Well, it’s now or never, isn’t it? He swallows, and nearly blurts out a hasty never mind! But he holds it back, collects himself and turns so that he is facing the night sky, foggy as it is.]

Once upon a time, there was a little monster. He lived under the ground with a family of other monsters. It was not a terrible place to live, though dark dreary, but the truth was they had no choice, as they were exiled many hundreds of years ago by their defeat of another, stronger clan. They were weak and their only place was their hole in the ground.

The little monster did not mind this, for most of his life. It was all he knew, after all. Who was he to question things like the life above? Or the terrifying stories the other monsters would often tell. Ah, but of course …one day something changed.

The little monster heard singing from above.

[Mayoi raises his hand up, reaching for the moon itself. He grins, though Rinne may not be able to see it from where he’s standing. However, there is a lilt in his voice now, something fond.]

Fufufu… to say he tried so very hard to ignore it would be a terrible lie. The singing was enchanting, intoxicating, he wanted to stop and listen every time he could hear it through the walls. Like the whispering of faeries from that forbidden world above, he felt the pull more and more every day until he could not bare it any longer.

Through the dark, dirty tunnels of his home, the little monster clawed his way to the surface, and found himself face-to-face with a brilliant star-filled night sky for the very first time.

[Rinne is enchanted by the story immediately. A monster who's never seen the sky. A creature who's never questioned his world until that fateful moment. It resonates with Rinne a little too much, though he's not sure why. This monster was surrounded by other monsters. He wasn't like Rinne at all.

In his need to know what happens next, Rinne forgets to act.]

So what'd he do after that? Did he find the fairies?

[Ah, like a child almost. It’s encouraging, though. He smiles.]

He did, and they were as bright and wonderful as he expected, perhaps even more so. They shined such, it was almost too hard for him to look.

Ah, the little monster was still a monster, and the bright people of the surface did not know what to make of his hideous visage, so he was forced to hide away again, back in his hole, while the surface whispered of the strange thing they had seen.

It did not bother the monster, to be spoken of that way, because for a moment it had felt like he was apart of that same word, even if just through whispers.

[Mayoi’s voice grows quiet.]

But now that he’d tasted the surface world, he longed to return. He had a dream now— to stand with the faeries and be heard. To announce that he, too, was here. He wanted to return.

Edited 2023-01-19 18:51 (UTC)

He got his time in the limelight and now he wants more? Can't say I don't relate!

[It was about belonging. Rinne knew. It was the joy and thrill of being acknowledged for something other than your lineage or hideousness for once, existing as something completely different the moment he got on that stage.]

... Could he return? Sounds like everyone else back home was scared of the surface.

[Yes, just so.]

It …was not easy to convince them to let him go back. They were worried of course. There are a lot of reasons to fear the surface, and those that walk upon it. As monsters that had once been banished, they all feared discovery.

[He shakes his head.]

On the surface, it was a crime to be a monster, even now. To be discovered would mean the imprisonment or death of his clan down below. His dream was so close but he had to be careful.

And so …it was that another monster in his clan gifted him a disguise. With it, he was able to return.

With all the years of practice and singing, the monster, now disguised as a fairy, sought out their stage and auditioned fervently. He was allowed to join, but …ah, it was very difficult, adjusting to a life like this, while harboring such secrets. Of trying to fit in with the fairies when you know yourself to be a monster.

One day he was summoned before the court of fairies, and he knew with dread in his heart, that surely he’d been found out.

[There was no point in staying in a place where you didn't belong, but this monster's family helped him out anyway?

Ah, Rinne envies this monster.]

Well shit, did he escape?

[Rinne would have if it didn't mean having a stain on the record they'd have to make.]

[Yes, in this regard, the monster was very lucky, and thankful, for the family that helped him. He wonders why, sometimes, but perhaps ...they also would like to see one of their own dance in the light. It's presumptuous to think so, but its a nice idea.]

No ...He found that he was brought together with three others and made to stand before the Emp- ah, King of Fairies. With contempt he said that all four of them had failed to live up to his expectations among the fairies. He would have rights to execute them all if he chose, but that he was not unmerciful, and that he would give them a second chance: Join together and perform in a months time, and they will be spared.

I-It was a terrifying event! B-But ...the monster was relieved it was not what he thought. And now, as he looked upon the three others who his fate had been tied to, he started to notice that ...there was something familiar about them all. Were they also wearing disguises...? Regardless, through their shared ordeal the little monster came to love them like his own family. They worked tirelessly to try and escape their fate, with a performance that loomed ever closer for them.

[Mayoi pauses here, falling silent for a period of time that seems too long for dramatic effect. He looks up and there is an apologetic smile on his face.]

I'm afraid that's as far as I've gotten. The ending ...is something I am still working on. There are lots of different ways such a story could go, after all.

Edited 2023-01-20 00:41 (UTC)

[Now this is familiar. In fact, it's hitting too close to home. Rinne waits for the continuation with bated breath, hoping to hear more about the others with disguises, how they find their place with the fairies, and how they bathe in the light meant for them in the end. But none of it ever comes.

That's fine. When everything has yet to be set in stone for Rinne, maybe that's all he needs to hear. And when someone puts effort into — no, trusts them with their life, Rinne ought to pay them back in kind.

So he pats Mayoi's head.]

It's a good story.

[His voice is quiet, but warm.]

That monster must've had it rough, lying to everyone like that. That shit ain't easy.

... I'm real glad he could tell somebody.

[He ruffles Mayoi's bangs.]

Give him a happy ending, yeah? I'm seriously gonna cry if you don't.

[Mayoi would love to have the ending ready for him, but as it stands ...he is unsure of it. Each fairy has their own version of events, and so, he cannot yet conclude it in good faith. Though, if asked, he thinks he likes the red fairy's version of things best.]

[Ah, the pat on the head catches him off guard. Another little eep! that Rinne is probably used to now whenever Mayoi is startled. He looks up at him with wide, surprised eyes, but- then. Ah.]

[There is a weight he's been carrying all this time that lifts at Rinne's words. He hadn't told a soul this story, not in all his time on the surface, and even though it's heavily embellished, he knows Rinne can read between the lines. Overwhelmed, his eyes well up with tears, but Mayoi crying is probably the least surprising thing that could be happening now. He's a weepy guy, always has been.]

[He nods, scrubbing at his face.]

I-I will try. I have one in mind-- and if it works, I will finish the story for you. Ah-

[He tries to pull himself together, offering Rinne a small smile.]

Thank you ...for listening to my story. I-If it isn't too much of a burden ...I would like for you to hold it close to your chest until I return from speaking with Sparrow, so that I might tell Hiiro-san.

[...]

If I do not return ...it would mean a lot to me that the little monster's story not be forgotten.

[ Rinne's hand hovers as he hesitates to reach out a second time, unsure if his presence will overstay its welcome. There's no need to comfort Mayoi when he cries at every little thing. But when Rinne puts himself in the shoes of that monster reaching the surface for the first time, he understands — perhaps more than anybody — where Mayoi's tears are coming from.

He settles for rubbing the back of his own neck. He doesn't want a repeat of the last time he tried something weird... ]

... Hey. How're ya supposed to win if ya got losing on your mind?

I ain't telling nobody about that. If you wanna tell Hiiro, tell him yourself. Maybe you're sick of working with me, but I ain't in the mood to let anyone go.

[ So don't go! ]

[He sobers up a little with Rinne's strangely gentle way of speaking. Somewhat more composed, Mayoi glances down, fidgeting with his hair.]

Ah ...it is my nature to think that way, Rinne-san. To plot out the worst outcome and prepare for it. I'm sorry, it ...it makes me a bit of a pessimist, but that does not mean I intend to do a poor job of want you ask of me.

[But, now it sounds like Rinne might be wanting to back out of it? Ah, he cannot let him think his trust is poorly placed, not after he's made up his mind to do it. He offers him a smile.]

Do ...Do you think Hiiro-san will like it? The story?

[When your existence has never been "right" from the start, you tend to prepare for how others might treat you. Rinne just likes to put up a optimistic front. He has to. Mayoi hasn't ever had to lead other monsters. But Rinne knows where Mayoi's coming from...

Rinne grins.]

Mm. Yeah, I think he'll like it a lot. Fiction totally puts him to sleep, though. [Rinne sighs and shakes his head.] He's such a boring guy.... So you oughta change the names when you're done. Gyahaha!

He won't stop being your friend for that. I bet he'd really hate to lose ya. You guys were his first friends ever, you know? He's never gonna forget that. I'm speaking from personal experience!

[With Hiiro, that is.]

Edited (SLEEPY) 2023-01-24 14:27 (UTC)

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