anemoi | (no subject)

[ACTION; PRIVATE]

*Up to this point, he'd been looking forward to the memories; all the little memories of Tomoe, their marriage, their meeting, and so on. It had been spurring him on, knowing someone was waiting for him. Someone who loved him, who was waiting for him to come home.

The end of that illusion came, ironically, in a dream not long after the last batch of anemoi he got.

It was too vivid to be anything other than a memory. Images of her collapsing, then her in a hospital bed. And then... a phone call after a heroic rescue, a hurried rush home, and opening the doors to the sight of HER, tastefully laid out in the traditional style, a sheet covering her prone body.

He woke up, still confused; it was a dream, right? But then he reaches his cheeks, and feels the tears, and remembers. Six years ago, now.

Tomoe was dead.*

[ACTION; PUBLIC]

*Not that he shows it too much in public. He tries his best to be his usual cheerful self around others; only when he's by himself does he let the melancholy in. He doesn't need anybody worrying about him, after all.

But maybe you catch him in one of his down moments. Briefly. Do you approach?*

[VIDEO]

You know, I was thinking. A guy like me, hoarding all these memories for himself when other folks might want some! Seems kinda selfish, doesn't it? How about I just give some of you guys the ones I find instead? Just for a little while! Come on, what do you say?

((OOC: 3% on Tomoe's illness and death.)

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Not in the context you're thinking, anyway. And the people of this place are the least of my concerns.

Well, that's your problem. Me, I'm just glad I'm gonna finally get to do what I was born to do. Hell, maybe I'll stick around. I'm getting pretty attached to this place.

. . . And your wife? Will you abandon her?

*Shit.*

I'm sure she'd understand. Got lives to protect no matter where I am, right? Besides, we don't even know if we can get out. So maybe I oughta just consider what've I've got here. I miss her, sure, but what else can I do?

*Yeah, it sounds heartless. But screw it.*

*Saleh laughs. He doesn't buy it, but if this is in fact true, it's shockingly hilarious. Then again, if it's a lie, that's even better.*

That's awfully cold of you. Then again, you'd be delusional to think otherwise when there's no known way of returning.

I'm sure the people will appreciate your choice, Kotetsu.

Look, I gotta face reality, right? I'd thought you of all people would get that sorta thinking.

And hey, at least they know how to appreciate ANY people. You might wanna learn that skill sometime.

Learn, you say? I don't think you're qualified to be making those kinds of accusations.

Hey, what do you even know about me, huh? Screw off already! Friggin' prick.

*Just ignoring that last bit.*

Kotetsu, a married NEXT and Hundred Power user. You're the sort who'll put aside his personal grievances for the sake of the people -- or so you insist.

Now, what do you know about me?

*...Goddamnit. When he thinks about it, he knows jack and shit about this guy. Probably deliberately, on his part. All he knows is that he's an asshole.*

...

Why the hell would you care if there was anything wrong with me, anyway? And that's a big if, mind you.

It won't do for an aspiring member of Sirocco's Justice League to be in a state of distress.

*That would be the noble reason which he's not particularly attached to.*

That, and I'm simply curious.

*Tch. He tilts his hat a bit.*

Sorry. But if there was anything wrong with me -- and that's a big if, mind you -- you'd need to be a little more than "curious" to get me to even think of talking.

You didn't need anything else, did you?

Oh, you don't have to tell me. You can spare the details, but you're not just very good at covering things up. Anyway . . .

I expect you'll be working hard -- for the people here, as well as your wife.

...

*He doesn't respond. What can you really say to that? Still... if this tool says he's not hiding it well enough, he'll just have to do it better so that people who might actually give a shit about him won't worry.*

Hm?

*Seemingly shrugging, he steps around Kotetsu.*

If you have nothing to add, then I'll be going now. Have fun with your chores.