Mayoi Ayase | 礼瀬 マヨイ (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
rottencactus) wrote2022-08-18 05:48 pm
rottencactus) wrote2022-08-18 05:48 pm
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[The voicemail greeting is just 20 seconds of breathing and a shriek at the end before it beeps]
[The voicemail greeting is just 20 seconds of breathing and a shriek at the end before it beeps]
[Hiiro did say he was fine, but Barnaby can't help but want to check in on 'clover' regardless, after not seeing him at the meeting.]
Mayoi, isn't it? This is Barnaby again.
I hope you're doing well. If it isn't too much trouble, may I come to see you?
Mayoi, isn't it? This is Barnaby again.
I hope you're doing well. If it isn't too much trouble, may I come to see you?
[A message! And it's not through the messaging app he uses from home, so it probably isn't from anyone in ES. Who... oh, it is bunny-chan. Why would-]
Eh!? A hero type wants to come see me?? I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I haven't done anything suspicious! I only broke into the residence halls a few weeks ago because we were looking for clues! I know I am an insignificant bug deserving of being squashed but I cannot leave Hiiro-san all alone!! Please spare meeeeeeeeeee!!!!
Eh!? A hero type wants to come see me?? I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I haven't done anything suspicious! I only broke into the residence halls a few weeks ago because we were looking for clues! I know I am an insignificant bug deserving of being squashed but I cannot leave Hiiro-san all alone!! Please spare meeeeeeeeeee!!!!
[oh dear.......]
I'm not contacting you to punish you for anything, please don't worry. I just wanted to meet you in person and check on your injuries.
I'm not contacting you to punish you for anything, please don't worry. I just wanted to meet you in person and check on your injuries.
[Oh.]
Is that so...? I'm sorry for ...jumping to conclusions and coming off strangely.
Um. I suppose Hiiro-san must have mentioned that... [What does he do... He isn't sure he can handle someone like Bunny speaking to him in person, but also he is worried about him for some reason? Ah, it would be rude to turn him away. Especially if it is his job...]
That should be fine... Though I do not want to trouble Barnaby-san when there must surely be more important things taking up his time.
Is that so...? I'm sorry for ...jumping to conclusions and coming off strangely.
Um. I suppose Hiiro-san must have mentioned that... [What does he do... He isn't sure he can handle someone like Bunny speaking to him in person, but also he is worried about him for some reason? Ah, it would be rude to turn him away. Especially if it is his job...]
That should be fine... Though I do not want to trouble Barnaby-san when there must surely be more important things taking up his time.
Making sure everyone is doing as well as we can be under the circumstances isn't a waste of time. If anything, I think it's one of the most important uses of my time right now.
Are you staying in one of the residential halls?
Are you staying in one of the residential halls?
Ah, that makes sense...
[No getting out of it then. Alright, time to brace himself!! He has gotten better at talking to people he doesn't know!! It's just like a meet-and-greet!!]
Yes. I will give you the address. Someone should be able to let you in. You will find me in the attic. I will make sure the ladder is down.
[Inserted at the end is the address as well as a picture of the house. He is staying in Poppy Hall with Hiiro, which is the collection of small houses. Their immediate neighbors are Rinne, Niki, and Kanata, so you know. Nice and quiet.]
[No getting out of it then. Alright, time to brace himself!! He has gotten better at talking to people he doesn't know!! It's just like a meet-and-greet!!]
Yes. I will give you the address. Someone should be able to let you in. You will find me in the attic. I will make sure the ladder is down.
[Inserted at the end is the address as well as a picture of the house. He is staying in Poppy Hall with Hiiro, which is the collection of small houses. Their immediate neighbors are Rinne, Niki, and Kanata, so you know. Nice and quiet.]
Oh? Tiger and I are staying in Poppy Hall as well, so we're close enough to being neighbors. I won't be long.
[Probably to Mayoi's dread, if he needed time to psych himself up. He arrives at the house, and after being let in, climbs the ladder and knocks politely. He doesn't want to just barge in, after all.]
Mayoi...? It's Barnaby.
[Probably to Mayoi's dread, if he needed time to psych himself up. He arrives at the house, and after being let in, climbs the ladder and knocks politely. He doesn't want to just barge in, after all.]
Mayoi...? It's Barnaby.
Oh, I see. How convenient.
[SCREAMING. As it turns out he did not use any of that time to settle his nerves at all and once Barnaby knocks, Mayoi shrieks. It's fine. He shrieks at everything.]
E-Eek!
[After a moment. A very low, wavering voice will reply.]
I-It's open...!
[It's a dark, cozy little room with a pretty low ceiling so sorry if Barnaby is a tall fella. It's got dark curtains and sheets up all over to block out any sun and to also create a sort of canopy around his bed, making him not visible initially.]
[A curtain will stir and move juuuuuust a little so one of Mayoi's eyes and some of his hair is visible.]
...U-Um. Hello...?
[SCREAMING. As it turns out he did not use any of that time to settle his nerves at all and once Barnaby knocks, Mayoi shrieks. It's fine. He shrieks at everything.]
E-Eek!
[After a moment. A very low, wavering voice will reply.]
I-It's open...!
[It's a dark, cozy little room with a pretty low ceiling so sorry if Barnaby is a tall fella. It's got dark curtains and sheets up all over to block out any sun and to also create a sort of canopy around his bed, making him not visible initially.]
[A curtain will stir and move juuuuuust a little so one of Mayoi's eyes and some of his hair is visible.]
...U-Um. Hello...?
[Barnaby startles when he hears a shriek. He did warn him he was coming, sorry dude... That said, when Mayoi says it's open, Barnaby climbs up. At 6'1", he's definitely having to stoop and move carefully to avoid banging his head while his eyes adjust to the gloom.
When he notices Mayoi peeking out from the curtain, he looks both confused and concerned.]
Hello? I'm sorry if I scared you. Why are you up here? [It seems like a bad place to recover for someone injured.]
When he notices Mayoi peeking out from the curtain, he looks both confused and concerned.]
Hello? I'm sorry if I scared you. Why are you up here? [It seems like a bad place to recover for someone injured.]
[Ah, yes, he is as bright and hard to look at as he expected. He has the stature of someone claiming to be a hero, for sure. He considers hiding behind his curtain again, but that would not be polite…]
O-Oh… this is my room. I… I like it up here.
[He pauses, thinking about what would be a polite way to receive a guest he doesn’t know. He’s never had to think about this before, not in a context like this.]
[He vanishes behind the curtain again, but after a moment an arm reaches out of it, holding a pillow.]
I-I do not have a chair or stool for you to sit on, s-so please accept this instead. I’m very sorry.
O-Oh… this is my room. I… I like it up here.
[He pauses, thinking about what would be a polite way to receive a guest he doesn’t know. He’s never had to think about this before, not in a context like this.]
[He vanishes behind the curtain again, but after a moment an arm reaches out of it, holding a pillow.]
I-I do not have a chair or stool for you to sit on, s-so please accept this instead. I’m very sorry.
[Leaving Mayoi defenseless and alone this whole time doesn't sit well for Hiiro, so as soon as he can he returns to check on him. He looks pretty dejected despite how productive(?) the meeting was, but at least he manages to bring snacks and drinks to him.]
Mayoi-senpai? Are you awake?
Mayoi-senpai? Are you awake?
[Mayoi has been feeling better at least, and so today he's been sitting up in bed, reading a book. He hopes he can be back on his feet full time in a day or two. He's getting... antsy.]
[He is very glad to hear Hiiro's voice, so he will set his book down and greet him with a smile.]
I have been waiting for you Hiiro-saaaaan~ [He's in a good mood at least.] How did things go...? I-I'm sorry for making you go in my stead...
[He is very glad to hear Hiiro's voice, so he will set his book down and greet him with a smile.]
I have been waiting for you Hiiro-saaaaan~ [He's in a good mood at least.] How did things go...? I-I'm sorry for making you go in my stead...
Umu. It's all right, there was a lot that happened, but I think the meeting went well. It's good to see your cheerful self again, Mayoi-senpai.
[Seeing a happy Mayoi eases up some of his own tension, especially because he had so much to think about now. It felt like it was so much that for Hiiro, it was hard to process. So he focuses on what he can right now.]
I can update you about everything, but let me check on your wounds first.
[They should mostly be healed up now, he thinks, but he wants to be sure.]
[Seeing a happy Mayoi eases up some of his own tension, especially because he had so much to think about now. It felt like it was so much that for Hiiro, it was hard to process. So he focuses on what he can right now.]
I can update you about everything, but let me check on your wounds first.
[They should mostly be healed up now, he thinks, but he wants to be sure.]
[Mayoi tips his head to the side and holds his book close to him with a widening sharp smile.]
Of course~ It is because I get to see Hiiro-san's loooovely innocent face as he comes to spoil me once more. I am getting very tired of bed rest, so I hope soon there will be something I can do for that troubled expression you had when you came up here just now.
[Don't think he didn't catch that. But without teasing any longer, he will set his book aside and sit up so that Hiiro can do what he needs to do. He was lucky nothing got his face- since that is the most important part of an Idol's body, after all. Most of his deep injuries were lower, mostly on his torso and back with a few nasty ones being dispersed along his arms and legs.]
[He's healed up nicely, though its too early to tell what might scar.]
How does everything look...?
Of course~ It is because I get to see Hiiro-san's loooovely innocent face as he comes to spoil me once more. I am getting very tired of bed rest, so I hope soon there will be something I can do for that troubled expression you had when you came up here just now.
[Don't think he didn't catch that. But without teasing any longer, he will set his book aside and sit up so that Hiiro can do what he needs to do. He was lucky nothing got his face- since that is the most important part of an Idol's body, after all. Most of his deep injuries were lower, mostly on his torso and back with a few nasty ones being dispersed along his arms and legs.]
[He's healed up nicely, though its too early to tell what might scar.]
How does everything look...?
... Sorry about that. I didn't want you to worry.
[Well, Hiiro knows his heart is on his sleeve, his emotions on his expressions. It's just difficult when he wants to be spoiled, but he shouldn't. He should take care of Mayoi.
Once he is close enough, he gets on his knees next to Mayoi to start his inspection. He was careful when checking, whatever bandages they managed to find, ratty as they were before he did his best to clean them, managing to do their job. There might be scarring, he's not sure, but he hopes it won't. He himself thinks scars a sign of a warrior, because one doesn't come back from a battlefield without them, but idols were different.]
Umu... It's healed up quite well. Not completely, but you should be able to move properly soon. I'm glad.
[Well, Hiiro knows his heart is on his sleeve, his emotions on his expressions. It's just difficult when he wants to be spoiled, but he shouldn't. He should take care of Mayoi.
Once he is close enough, he gets on his knees next to Mayoi to start his inspection. He was careful when checking, whatever bandages they managed to find, ratty as they were before he did his best to clean them, managing to do their job. There might be scarring, he's not sure, but he hopes it won't. He himself thinks scars a sign of a warrior, because one doesn't come back from a battlefield without them, but idols were different.]
Umu... It's healed up quite well. Not completely, but you should be able to move properly soon. I'm glad.
I am worried about everything all the time in this wretched place, it will probably not kill me to be worried about one more thing, Hiiro-san.
[That sounds like a joke but there is a note of hysteria at the edge of his voice if you squint.]
[He regards the wounds with something of a worried frown. He does think about what those marks on him could mean from his career standpoint and it fills him with nerves in a way that's hard to articulate. He does keep it to himself for now, since he really doesn't want to trouble Hiiro any more than he has.]
[With Hiiro's final assertion he does let out a small sigh.]
I'm relieeeeeved. It is because Hiiro-san has taken such good care of me.
[Mayoi reaches up, but then hesitates a little in the air. Ah, he nearly reached to pat his head just now but maybe that is too bold...]
[That sounds like a joke but there is a note of hysteria at the edge of his voice if you squint.]
[He regards the wounds with something of a worried frown. He does think about what those marks on him could mean from his career standpoint and it fills him with nerves in a way that's hard to articulate. He does keep it to himself for now, since he really doesn't want to trouble Hiiro any more than he has.]
[With Hiiro's final assertion he does let out a small sigh.]
I'm relieeeeeved. It is because Hiiro-san has taken such good care of me.
[Mayoi reaches up, but then hesitates a little in the air. Ah, he nearly reached to pat his head just now but maybe that is too bold...]
It is because Mayoi-senpai is a very good patient here.
[Since he... used to run away from the infirmary before. At least he didn't this time.
Also, why did he stop mid-pat?? Hiiro bumps his head against his palm, looking at him like he wants him to continue. Spoil him, please.]
[Since he... used to run away from the infirmary before. At least he didn't this time.
Also, why did he stop mid-pat?? Hiiro bumps his head against his palm, looking at him like he wants him to continue. Spoil him, please.]
Ah... Yes... It is because there is no where for me to hide other than here.
[He thought about it a few times. He did leave his bed once or twice but... he learns! He knows that it worries the others now! He leaves notes!]
[Any that doesn't matter because Hiiro just did something so cute he almost blacked out.]
[He thought about it a few times. He did leave his bed once or twice but... he learns! He knows that it worries the others now! He leaves notes!]
[Any that doesn't matter because Hiiro just did something so cute he almost blacked out.]
[Oh, god strike him down right this second, he is going to sin. This is obscene. He can't handle this?? Hiiro is too cute? He wants to die.]
[But instead, he will do as asked and pat his hair oh so gently. Yes, Hiiro is in need of spoiling and Mayoi has been neglecting him and that's a terrible tragedy. He will fix this now.]
[But instead, he will do as asked and pat his hair oh so gently. Yes, Hiiro is in need of spoiling and Mayoi has been neglecting him and that's a terrible tragedy. He will fix this now.]
[He smiles at that, basking in the attention and relaxing into it. He had found it a little strange at first, but with how often he gets them from his unitmates, he's gotten quite spoiled.]
That tickles.
[He chuckles at that, basking for a while longer, almost not wanting to do anything but just let Mayoi spoil him. He probably shouldn't though, not after all that he learned.
He still isn't sure how to bring it up.]
That tickles.
[He chuckles at that, basking for a while longer, almost not wanting to do anything but just let Mayoi spoil him. He probably shouldn't though, not after all that he learned.
He still isn't sure how to bring it up.]
[It's nice and nostalgic, too. Like they're not in some hellish purgatory and Mayoi wasn't nearly torn apart by vengeful shadow dogs. They're just in their dorms, talking about ALKALOID.]
[But after a moment, Mayoi will fuss a little with Hiiro's hair to make sure it's back where it belongs and withdrawal his hand.]
...That is ...probably enough stalling, Hiiro-san.
[But after a moment, Mayoi will fuss a little with Hiiro's hair to make sure it's back where it belongs and withdrawal his hand.]
...That is ...probably enough stalling, Hiiro-san.
[...]
Umu. I should give you the updates.
[There is so much to start with that he isn't quite sure which is most important to bring up but...
He's scared, he realizes. He's never had friends before, so losing them had never been something to worry about. Would Mayoi hate him, knowing what he did?
But then he wouldn't want to lie to him either.]
... Sorry, Mayoi-senpai. The truth is... I might have been the reason you got this hurt.
Umu. I should give you the updates.
[There is so much to start with that he isn't quite sure which is most important to bring up but...
He's scared, he realizes. He's never had friends before, so losing them had never been something to worry about. Would Mayoi hate him, knowing what he did?
But then he wouldn't want to lie to him either.]
... Sorry, Mayoi-senpai. The truth is... I might have been the reason you got this hurt.
[Mayoi sits up a little, shuffling so he can better receive the information. His frown is terribly worried, though. Hiiro is ...a rather sturdy young man, so for him to be this troubled, it worries him.]
...Eh? That's ...That's ridiculous, isn't it? Those ...shadows, they are the ones that did this.
...Eh? That's ...That's ridiculous, isn't it? Those ...shadows, they are the ones that did this.
The shadows... It was because...
[He isn't sure how to say it, if he were honest.]
Nii-san and I found the conductor of the train, but he was poisoned. We-- We didn't want to leave him there, so we decided to bury his body out of respect. The graveyard-- We chose a spot in the graveyard that was far from the gravestones, but...
[No, the more he thinks about it, the more he feels terrible. Still, he had to tell him. Mayoi deserved the truth.]
There were so many bones underneath. Too many to be normal. We disturbed the grounds, and that's why-- That's why the spirit hounds came.
It was my fault. If I hadn't been so reckless, both you and Nii-san would have been safe.
[He isn't sure how to say it, if he were honest.]
Nii-san and I found the conductor of the train, but he was poisoned. We-- We didn't want to leave him there, so we decided to bury his body out of respect. The graveyard-- We chose a spot in the graveyard that was far from the gravestones, but...
[No, the more he thinks about it, the more he feels terrible. Still, he had to tell him. Mayoi deserved the truth.]
There were so many bones underneath. Too many to be normal. We disturbed the grounds, and that's why-- That's why the spirit hounds came.
It was my fault. If I hadn't been so reckless, both you and Nii-san would have been safe.
[He listens. He's quiet as Hiiro explains, but there is an undeniable moment when he realizes what Hiiro is getting at. The realization that such an innocent act might have been the horrible dominoes that lead to so much blood and loss.]
[Rui-san is gone because of those hounds, and there is a nasty, twisted voice in his mind that points that out before he viciously shuts it down. No. None of that. Not like this.]
[Mayoi closes his eyes as he lets it all settle. There is so much to process, so many directions his emotions try to drag him in, but he's settled rationally on the answer and so, with a deep shuddering breath, and with the gloss of tears in his eyes, he finally speaks.]
H-Hiiro-san. You didn't know. You did ...what any kind person would have.
[He swallows, and reaches out to gently settle a hand on his shoulder.]
W-We ...we had no way to know how this place would retaliate. We were not given the rules. That is not your fault.
[Rui-san is gone because of those hounds, and there is a nasty, twisted voice in his mind that points that out before he viciously shuts it down. No. None of that. Not like this.]
[Mayoi closes his eyes as he lets it all settle. There is so much to process, so many directions his emotions try to drag him in, but he's settled rationally on the answer and so, with a deep shuddering breath, and with the gloss of tears in his eyes, he finally speaks.]
H-Hiiro-san. You didn't know. You did ...what any kind person would have.
[He swallows, and reaches out to gently settle a hand on his shoulder.]
W-We ...we had no way to know how this place would retaliate. We were not given the rules. That is not your fault.
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