musubi | first breath ✧ action

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luceti

first breath ✧ action

[There's a pale, shirtless figure walking through the woods just outside town. His footsteps are silent, and the book he holds in one hand remains unopened. The only article of clothing he found at the scene when he awoke was his hat, which he's returned to its rightful place on his head. He'd be normal looking if not for the face-like growths covering the upper portion of his body.

Despite his attempts to go unnoticed, Isamu's presence is announced by the occasional bit of wildlife fleeing from his presence.

At one point he stops and glances around apprehensively.] ...Naoki?

[If you're not Naoki Kashima, he will have very little interest in you. Feel free to attempt conversation anyway, however.]

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[Three and four hundred...? Isamu starts to follow, stops, scowls, then finds himself following again anyway. He doesn't want to be among that many people. Wasn't that the whole point of his reason?

...Didn't Naoki agree with him?] And you're just living among them? I didn't think four months would have changed you so much.

[He's also glancing over his shoulder at his own wings now - at least what he can see of them. They give a twitch and he makes another face. What was the point of those?]

[Naoki looks over his shoulder, seeming a bit puzzled by the words. In fact, Isamu’s whole demeanour unnerved him at this point—and not the growths on his skin. After everything, wouldn’t Isamu have been angry…?]

Changed…? I don’t think I have, really. [His eyes drift over, spotting his glances.] They hurting or anything? I know mine did when I first got here. Don’t know why we get them, but we’ve got to be really careful with them anyway.

They're ridiculous. [He reaches back and runs his fingers along one of the end feathers.] But they're fine, otherwise. They don't hurt.

[He tilts his head.] You have changed, though. Or it seems that way. Unless you were just lying all those times you claimed to support me.

[And Naoki comes to an abrupt, sudden halt as they reach the edge of the woods. He wheels around almost violently to face him, his eyes wide. No way—he didn’t—]

…Support you? I—with your Reason?

[Don't look so shocked. It's putting Isamu on edge too.]

...Yeah. With my Reason. What, you don't remember?

[It’s hard not to be shocked when you’ve just been told you supported a Reason that you never did.]

…No, I don’t.

[Isamu glowers now, and attempts to walk past him.] Of course you don't.

[Naoki shifts suddenly, right into his path.]

I don’t. Tell me what I did, what I said. Please.

[Stopping again. Isamu isn't sure what to think. This is all just such a sudden hitch in, well, everything.]

I don't want to rehash all the details. [Nevermind that Naoki had agreed to help him out.] ...You were always apologizing, checking in on me. You said you agreed with the way I wanted the world to be and you did everything I told you to.

[He tries to move past again.] I never should have entrusted my Reason to you. [Not that he'd had much choice.]

[Naoki shifts again into his path. Though some of what he says sounds familiar, Naoki can’t remember agreeing. He didn’t agree with any of them.]

I really don’t remember it, Isamu. I’m not lying. [He pauses briefly.] But listen, I’m going to help you here. So don’t go running off on your own, alright?

Don't tell me what to do. [Isamu snaps. Then he takes a deep breath, meant to cam himself down, but the air seems thinner here for some reason.]

Whatever. You said you were taking me somewhere, so take me somewhere.

[Naoki looks at him closely for a few moments, before nodding.] Okay, then. [He leads the way into the village, heading towards one of the tall community buildings.]

[Isamu follows, sticking closer to Naoki than he'd like. Yellow eyes dart about, taking in everything as they pass it. This is all upsetting up, but he says nothing.]

[Naoki glances over at him as they walk.] Everything here in the shops you can just take—it's free. The apartments, too. [He steps inside the building, making his way up the stairs.]

[Still following, despite everything.] Apartments? There's no private housing anywhere?

Well, there's houses, but I'm not sure how many of them are free. [Looking at him as they make their way upstairs.] The apartments aren't so bad, really. They're quiet, and there's electricity now.

Now? There wasn't before?

[Isamu is becoming a bit winded as they climb. Lack of electricity would explain the lack of elevator. Still, he was in better shape than this. It was just the damn thin air...]

Just got it a week or so ago. I think it was a reward for the fighting.

[Naoki glances over once in a while, his eyebrows furrowing slightly in worry. Eventually, he climbs up the last stair and steps towards one of the apartment doors, pushing it open.]

[Isamu stops in the hall, panting, his hands on his knees. The faces on his skin seem to be opening and closing their mouths as well, as though trying and failing to suck in air.]

[Naoki turns to him, pauses, and steps in closer.] Are you okay...? [His gaze roams over the faces on his skin, frowning slowly.]

I'm fine. [It's spoken a bit quickly, and Isamu straightens up. He's a little dizzy, but he'll manage. He doesn't need help.]

This it?

[Naoki looks at him once more, but nods after a moment. He turns towards the apartment door.]

Yeah, come in.

[He takes quick stock of the place, focusing on anything but his current difficulties. Eventually, he glares at Naoki.]

You're not the only one that lives here.

[And Naoki blinks, as though he just remembered that. He rubs the side of his neck.]

…Oh yeah. I’ve got a roommate.

You should get rid of them. [Casually said as he looks for a sofa or something to lay down on.]

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[Action] *upsetting HIM. orz

[Action] I was thinking, if you want Isamu to move in, you can! The roomie might just be B| IC.

Re: [Action] We'll see. I don't know if Isamu would want to stay with 2 others.

[Action] Yeah, up to you!

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