Cho Hakkai (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
reformedsinner) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
thefarshore2018-01-24 01:23 pm
reformedsinner) wrote in thefarshore2018-01-24 01:23 pm
BBS/Video
From: Li Tieguai
Posted: Oct 7, 2:49 PM
---
[Hakkai's sitting at what looks like his kitchen table, hands folded and phone carefully propped up facing him and the wooden wall behind him. For once, he's not smiling. His expression is very neutral. He sounds slightly rehearsed.]
Good afternoon. Due to certain events, I've come to believe that there is something I need to share with you all, in the interests of honesty and transparency. I'm going to talk about some things that may be frightening or upsetting, so if you are under the age of fifteen, please ask a grown-up who you trust to watch this video first and explain it to you.
[He pauses, his eyes dropping from the camera to the screen for several seconds of silence before he looks back up.]
Still watching? Goten, Nanako, I especially mean you.
[He pauses again, for a few more seconds, and his fingers twitch slightly together.]
I have a serious criminal history. Some years ago, my lover was kidnapped by a clan of youkai known for their brutality towards captives. I pursued and attacked them in an attempt to rescue her, and, in the process, was responsible for the deaths of a majority of the clan, not limited to combatants. She did not survive.
The blood I shed was sufficient to transform me from human into youkai. [He reaches up, freeing each of three small silver cuffs from the curve of his ear in turn. His face shifts, ears lengthening and developing sharp points, green vine patterns spreading across his skin, teeth sharpening, and left eye shifting from green to a slit-pupiled yellow. His nails are long, sharp claws. He sets the jewelry down gently on the table between himself and the phone.]
After recovering from my own injuries, I turned myself in to the appropriate authorities, and received sentencing. I regret my actions, and I do not pose any public danger. However, I understand that my past crimes may cause others to be uncomfortable in my presence, and should you wish to withdraw yourself or any child for whom you are responsible from my classes, I can recommend either Lavi or Kusanagi Izumo as a substitute instructor. I will transfer any records to the instructor of your choice.
If you have any questions, I will do my best to answer them.
[He reaches for the cuffs again and fixes them back in place on his ear, appearance swiftly returning to a simulacrum of humanity, before he reaches out to shut down the video.]
Posted: Oct 7, 2:49 PM
---
[Hakkai's sitting at what looks like his kitchen table, hands folded and phone carefully propped up facing him and the wooden wall behind him. For once, he's not smiling. His expression is very neutral. He sounds slightly rehearsed.]
Good afternoon. Due to certain events, I've come to believe that there is something I need to share with you all, in the interests of honesty and transparency. I'm going to talk about some things that may be frightening or upsetting, so if you are under the age of fifteen, please ask a grown-up who you trust to watch this video first and explain it to you.
[He pauses, his eyes dropping from the camera to the screen for several seconds of silence before he looks back up.]
Still watching? Goten, Nanako, I especially mean you.
[He pauses again, for a few more seconds, and his fingers twitch slightly together.]
I have a serious criminal history. Some years ago, my lover was kidnapped by a clan of youkai known for their brutality towards captives. I pursued and attacked them in an attempt to rescue her, and, in the process, was responsible for the deaths of a majority of the clan, not limited to combatants. She did not survive.
The blood I shed was sufficient to transform me from human into youkai. [He reaches up, freeing each of three small silver cuffs from the curve of his ear in turn. His face shifts, ears lengthening and developing sharp points, green vine patterns spreading across his skin, teeth sharpening, and left eye shifting from green to a slit-pupiled yellow. His nails are long, sharp claws. He sets the jewelry down gently on the table between himself and the phone.]
After recovering from my own injuries, I turned myself in to the appropriate authorities, and received sentencing. I regret my actions, and I do not pose any public danger. However, I understand that my past crimes may cause others to be uncomfortable in my presence, and should you wish to withdraw yourself or any child for whom you are responsible from my classes, I can recommend either Lavi or Kusanagi Izumo as a substitute instructor. I will transfer any records to the instructor of your choice.
If you have any questions, I will do my best to answer them.
[He reaches for the cuffs again and fixes them back in place on his ear, appearance swiftly returning to a simulacrum of humanity, before he reaches out to shut down the video.]
no subject
It doesn't matter now, he admits, awash on a rush of grief that isn't all Gojyo's. He's just letting himself be distracted by inconsequential details, because they're so much easier, in the end, than the reality of how he'd failed her.]
If I do, I'll come back.
[It's his turn, now, to run a hand over Gojyo's shoulders, vaguely surprised when he doesn't find long hair there-- it's still a fuzzy halo around Gojyo's ears, of course, ink-black with fresh dye. He's not used to that.]
What kind of God of Fortune would I be if I let you run around alone?
no subject
[ His laugh is a tired thing, but there’s some real, genuine humor there. Or maybe it’s just relief, who can tell?]
Good. You’re right, I can’t be trusted on my own.
[ God of Fortune. He’s still not sure what that entails -- more powers, maybe? More observation from the higher-ups, that’s for sure. Heaven doesn’t do anything without asking for payment, he’s learned that already -- but right now he really doesn’t care. Right now all he cares about is holding on to the few people he’s got left.
He can’t be alone again. He won’t make it on his own.]
Guess you’ll just have to leave your name on me forever.
[ It’s said casually, but there’s no mistaking the tension that accompanies the statement. He’s not holding his breath waiting for Hakkai’s response, but he might as well be. ]
no subject
He nods, more for Gojyo to feel than to see, his expression softening with relief and affection.]
I guess I will.
[The name Gojyo had written on his wrist is long washed away, but, as Hakkai releases Gojyo from his embrace and steps back, he touches his skin where it had been.]
And I'll keep yours.
no subject
[ He feels the emptiness at once, as Hakkai steps back, and he very nearly closes that distance again just to have Hakkai pressed against him for another moment. But of course Hakkai's right -- they can't just stand in the hallway hugging forever.
Last week, Gojyo would have mumbled something embarrassed and self-effacing, would have wondered about where they went from here, would have found some excuse to run away for a bit, to go over the last few minutes over and over in his mind until he found a way to twist everything into something hurtful and ashamed. But if today is his last day alive, then he can't waste a minute.,/small> ]
You know, you never asked me where your name ended up on me.
[ He lets his hands fall to his sides, thumbs hooking into his belt loops, and the smile he offers Hakkai is equal parts shy and flirtatious. ...What? This is all new to him. He can cound the number of people he's flirted with -- really flirted with -- on one hand, and the number of people he's kissed is half that. He doesn't actually know what he'll do if Hakkai says yes, but isn't that half the fun? ]
Do you want to find out?
no subject
It's the shyness in Gojyo's smile that decides him.
You still don't know me, he wants to protest. This could hurt Gojyo, or leave Hakkai open to be hurt, and he doesn't know which of those possibilities he fears more. And yet... if he does say no, now, there's no guarantee that one of them won't still disappear, or be killed, at any moment. They could be hurt at any time.
He steps in towards Gojyo, raising a hand to trace his jaw and rest against his cheek.]
Maybe.
[The wounds of Ayumu's death are so fresh for both of them... but.
Chikusa and Ken are still staying at Nanako's temple, and Hakkai can order Asshole to spend the night in his own room (although, as far as Hakkai can tell, he doesn't sleep, he does have a room.) They can have privacy.
He wonders what the odds are that he is actually ready for this. At least he's too tired to panic.]
We could see. Tonight?