neverplaysfair | Game 013 [Voice/Action]

[ Joshua cringes and his whole body shudders as if he's been jolted. Then his expression relaxes, and his sigh is heavy, his voice almost unnoticeably a bit deeper. ]

You know you'd like it. [ But the teasing edge isn't entirely back yet.

Sure enough, within moments, the cuts aren't bleeding any more. ]

[ Hanekoma just grins back at him. Gentle hands move down the boy's chest, lending power and healing as they go. It's steadier, now, more constant, less of a jolt and more of a nonstop pulse. ]

That help any, Josh?

[ He closes his eyes and leans forwards a little, into the touch a bit more. ]

... Yeah.

Glad to hear it.

[ A moment more of touching before Sanae lifts his hand away, but there's still that faint new hum of power to him. ]

Want me to do your arms?

They're not as bad. [ But he's pulling off the bandages anyway. ]

Come on, this is the one time you get to take your clothes off and have me do some touching, might as well take advantage of it.

[ He laughs under his breath, sitting back to examine Josh's arms. ]

Don't tempt me, Sanae. [ That's the authority tone again. With an 11-year-old's voice. Yeah. ]

Edited 2010-02-02 03:53 (UTC)

[ That tone? Closer to adorable than intimidating. In fact, Joshua is a good deal more likable when he's being honest, or helpless, or some combination of the two. ]

Aw, you think I'm tempting? I'm flattered, J.

Edited 2010-02-02 04:02 (UTC)

[ It won't last much longer if you keep that up, Hanekoma. ]

You think I'd be making moves on you this whole time if you weren't?

I like to think you're just messin' with me and wouldn't actually try something.

[ He is tempting fate and he knows it, here. ]

Maybe, maybe not. It's much more entertaining when you don't know which it is, isn't it?

[ He shifts, moving a bit closer, grin widening. ]

Give me the line about touching again. I dare you.

Just meant we oughtta get as much done as we can, seein' as it won't be happening again.

[ ...but oh there's that morbid curiosity, and you did challenge him, after all: ]

I said, this is the one time I'm gonna take your clothes off and touch you, so we'd better take advantage of it.

[ Joshua's eyes flash for a moment.

He tenses, and a quiet, quiet humming starts to resonate in the air. His skin glows softly, starting to become covered in light...

Only for it all to vanish with a harsh snap, and suddenly Josh doubles over, coughing violently. He isn't visibly any older, but his vibe is a little bit higher than it was before. ]

Edited 2010-02-02 04:29 (UTC)

Joshua!

[ Partly exasperated and mostly concerned, Hanekoma jumps, catching at Josh's arm. There's that press of power again, but weaker now, trying not to give more than he can handle. ]

[ He goes as if to throw Hanekoma's grip off, but he doesn't, instead riding out the coughing fit. The backlash and the power pressing in on him are making his head spin. ] ... thought I could make it...

[ The power surge dwindles further, but he's still giving Josh all he dares to. ] You're insane. Lie down. The quest to get laid can wait until later.

Why, thank you... [ But he trails off a bit weakly, and wonder of wonders, takes Sanae's advice and lies down on the bed. ]

Lemme fix the bandages and then you can sleep.

[ He tugs away those bloodied bandages and starts to wrap Josh's arms with fresh, lending little boosts of power every time their skin touches. ]

[ And each touch sends a feeling straight through Joshua's body, so every few touches he jumps a little, more of a startle reflex than anything else. ]

[ He gets the arms done and struggles a bit to bind Joshua's chest, silent. It takes a minute, but then Hanekoma sits back, and that thrum of power if off like a switch. Back to human. ]

There. Think you'll be alright like that, for a bit?

I wouldn't know. Probably. [ He practically spits the words. He can't even remember the last time he was injured to blood, really injured, not just pretending for the sake of Neku's Game. This sort of thing doesn't happen to him. It shouldn't. ]

Josh, this isn't Shibuya. These things happen.

[ That smile turns sad, maybe faintly impatient. He rubs at his chin, remembers the blood on his hands, and makes a faint noise of disgust. ]

Just let me take care of you 'til you're better, and get back at 'em in the next round. You took a hit. Everyone does. Even the ones who run cities.

This is the second time I've lost to them, Sanae.

They're practically Composers of this place, and you're knocked down closer to Reaper. They've got the edge and you know it.

I won that fight before. It wouldn't be this difficult if it were that simple.

[ In his head he's drawing parallels between Higher Plane Angels and Players, but saying it out loud would be admitting that he has absolutely no chance. He's proud, but he's not blind. ]

[ action ]

[ action ]

[ action ]

[ action ]

[ action ]

[ action ]

[ action ]

[ action ]

[ action ]

[ action ]

[ action ]

[ action ]

[ action ]

[ action ]

[ action ]

[ action ]

[ action ]

[ action ]

[ action ]

[ action ]

[ action ]

[ action ]

[ action ]

[ action ]

[ action ]