Game 013 [Voice/Action] - "Triumphant" Return

[neverplaysfair]

[ The feed cuts in to the sound of coughing, and a very soft ] dammit [ before Joshua speaks into the journal, his voice somewhat hoarse and higher-pitched than usual. ]

Hanekoma, come get me. [ Mostly he just sounds exhausted. ]


[ Josh is sitting against a tree on the edge of the forest, staring at the mountains off in the distance, his journal in his lap. He looks younger... 10, maybe 12 at the oldest. He's covered in burn marks and bruises, and his clothes are completely ruffled and smattered with blood stains, not to mention a bit oversized due to him not being his usual stature. There's blood-stained bandages on his arms, and more hidden beneath his clothes. In other words, he's in bad shape.

Not to mention shivering. It's cold and snowing, and he's not dressed for the weather. ]

Comments

[ action ]

[nattocat.livejournal.com]

[ Okay, now Hanekoma's starting to doubt that Josh is really asleep. ...that, or the guy actually dreams about the kissing and touching and yeah he'll stop that train of thought right there. ]

Hey. I'll take good care a' him. You can come check up on the guy any time, alright?

[ action ]

[neverplaysfair]

[ Well, maybe he does, Sanae, you never know. However, his wonderful nap is disturbed by him suddenly tensing, shooting wide awake in an instant. ]

Stop-!

[ action ]

[soundfrequency]

[Was just about to leave, too, but his attention is quickly drawn back to Joshua. He's almost tempted to step closer but he stops himself.]

...

[ action ]

[nattocat.livejournal.com]

[ And Hanekoma tenses, stepping back a pace and tugging on Neku's shoulder as he does. Better to give Joshua his space, really, and this voice is hasty but soft: ]

It's alright, Josh. Just us.

[ action ]

[neverplaysfair]

[ After a moment he seems to come to his senses. ]

...

I said you didn't have to come.

[ action ]

[soundfrequency]

[Just staying right there where Mr. H pulled him back to.]

And I said I know. I still wanted to.

[ action ]

[nattocat.livejournal.com]

Sorry, Josh. Tried to send him away, but the guy was worried.

[ Yeah he'll just hang back here with Neku, only faintly apologetic. ]

[ action ]

[neverplaysfair]

I didn't want you to see this.

[ action ]

[soundfrequency]

I just...

[Stops. Not really sure what to say now.]

[ action ]

[nattocat.livejournal.com]

[ And Sanae slips further towards apologetic, silent. ]

[ action ]

[neverplaysfair]

Are you happy now?

[ action ]

[soundfrequency]

No.

[Takes a small step back.]

[ action ]

[nattocat.livejournal.com]

[ He lets go of Neku's shoulder, but doesn't move from his place by the bed. ]

[ action ]

[neverplaysfair]

[ He gives a frustrated sigh. ]

I'm too tired for this.

[ action ]

[soundfrequency]

...

[Can't bring himself to look up at Joshua right now. He pauses long enough to give Mr. H an apologetic and slightly sad glance then turns and walks out of the room.]

[ action ]

[nattocat.livejournal.com]

[ Mr. H watches him go and then looks back to Joshua, caught between the two. ]

Sorry, Josh. I shouldn't've...

[ He starts after Neku, but hesitates by the door. ]

[ action ]

[neverplaysfair]

... He knew what I was already. [ Josh just doesn't like being seen when he's weak. ]

[ action ]

[nattocat.livejournal.com]

[ Hanekoma shakes his head, lingering inside the room. ]

I'll lie for you, or something like it. You know when he sees you on your feet again he'll move on.

[ action ]

[neverplaysfair]

And tell him what? I'm staying in a child's body for kicks?

[ action ]

[nattocat.livejournal.com]

That the Malnosso caused it, though I bet he'd believe that second one. Pass it off as an attempt to get in my bed and it sounds plausible enough.

[ Slowly, he steps away from the door. He'll let Neku go. ]

[ action ]

[neverplaysfair]

They did cause it. It doesn't explain why I'm still like it. Or... [ His gaze falls to the bandages on his chest. ]

[ action ]

[nattocat.livejournal.com]

An experiment. Hasn't worn off yet.

[ And Hanekoma makes his way back over to the bed, sits heavily on the edge. ]

As for the rest of it, you got banged up in the struggle.

[ action ]

[neverplaysfair]

[ Joshua hesitates, then there's a heavy sigh. ] Sanae, there was no struggle. Before I realized it, I was out. I have no idea what they did.

[ action ]

[nattocat.livejournal.com]

[ He hesitates, too. That is not what he wanted to hear. ]

... mm. Sorry to hear it.

[ Sanae's turned away from Joshua, getting his shoes off -- and then he stretches, hands linked over his head, and lies down beside Josh. ]

Wish we had more to go on. Knew more about their power levels, their methods. At least you're back now.

[ action ]

[neverplaysfair]

[ Joshua looks over at him, seems to be contemplating something, and then in a moment it's gone. ]

I couldn't stop them, even awake.