thefarshore | HEAVEN'S BBS

So in other words, you think that's more likely than her elaborately trying to make it look like a setup?

[That makes more sense logically, but he also doesn't know a thing about Amaterasu. Other than a brief counselor chat.]

Yeah. I don't see how she gets anything out of a setup like that one.

... Hey, whose turn was it to ask a question? I forgot.

[Are they even still playing? Tsuzuki's not sure, but if they are, he's gonna have to order another round for himself at least.]

I completely forgot, myself.

[Woops. He'll take another drink anyway.] It seems you're open enough to speaking that we don't have to use drinks for it.

It's fun talking, sure. I only wouldn't talk about stuff if it were embarrassing.

[He grins cheerfully, and finishes off the last bit of his drink, waving at the bartender again.]

Hahaha! So I should have asked things like "what's your biggest secret?"

[He finishes up his sake just in time to push it forward as Tsuzuki waves down the bartender. More, more.]

If you did, I'd have drunk that glass a lot faster.

[The bartender eventually notices, and refills their cups. Tsuzuki snatches his fresh glass back immediately, protecting it from being cleared away when the memory of his customers fades again, and winks at Jae-Ha to cover the slightly flustered look on his face.

That's not embarrassing. That kind of stuff's just awful.]

[Jae-Ha has learned enough to scoop up his drink the same, grinning at his drinking partner.]

That begs the question, are you the type to share more the more you drink?

Wow, that sounds kind of like you're trying to pump me for information, Jae-Ha.

[You're not, right? Right? That's no good in a drinking buddy.]

Seriously, though, are there people who aren't that type? Everybody talks more drunk than they would sober, right?

No, no! I'd be much more subtle if I was trying for that.

[He waves his free hand and says this so casually, like it's not a mildly worrying thing to say.] They say you can tell what a person is like from how they act when they're drunk, right? That's all I wondered.

Besides that, you're the first I recall drinking with, so it's hard for me to answer that question.

[Tsuzuki winces and glances away. Oh yeah: shinki. He gets so used to talking casually with people that he says things like that, forgetting that they can't remember anything -- that their memories have been walled somehow away....

It's terrible. Losing some things might not matter, but there are other things that he would never, ever want to lose, and shinki don't get any kind of choice.]

Sorry.

Yeah, I talk more when I get drunk, anyway!

[Sometimes about things he really shouldn't.] But my tolerance's pretty good.

Now, now, that sad look isn't pretty on anyone. I'm something of a free spirit, so this doesn't feel too different for me. Disorienting at first, but I've adjusted. I promise! I'm an honest man.

[So honest... He takes a long sip of his sake.] I feel like my tolerance is good, as well. Call it a hunch.

If you missed drinking that much, I bet it is.

[Tsuzuki brightens into a smile again, deliberately: it's not like Jae-Ha wants to drink with a guy who keeps giving him pitying looks. Who would? Not Tsuzuki, for sure.]

I'm glad you're adjusting, anyway.

So much thanks to you, Tsuzuki! I've learned a lot. And with your company, how could I stay worried?

You're big on flattery, huh?

[Tsuzuki's smile suggests he's not objecting too much, though. He shrugs.]

Glad I helped, if I did.

I guess you could say that.

[He likes to spread smiles, mostly. And there's always something warming about flattering people, even putting aside his weird enjoyment of thrill and chase.]

You have, I mean it. Even now, I'll have to try hopping from temple to temple, won't I? Maybe I'll meet some new faces.

Yeah, I bet you will. I mean, be careful, though! Just in case.

[...he clears his throat a little nervously.]

Especially around Susano'o.

Does every one of your well wishes come with a warning?

[Should he rethink the things he's saying he wants to do? Goodness. He smiles over his cup.] What is it this time? Susano'o?

Not all of them! [Uh... is that true?

Maybe there are just a lot of things that can go wrong here. Tsuzuki sighs, deflating.]

Susano'o's the god of storms. He's kind of got a temper. I interrupted him working on a spell a while ago and he came pretty close to biting my arm off.

Ruined my coat, too! I had to buy a new one.

Hahaha! My, that sounds like a thrilling encounter if there ever was one. Maybe I'll have to say hello even more, now.

[Jae-Ha........] But is he beautiful?

Did you miss the bit where he almost took my arm off, or are you just into that kind of thing?

[... "Beautiful"?? Okay, Jae-Ha, you're just weird. Tsuzuki looks more than a little concerned.]

Is it wrong to be intrigued? He sounds powerful. Strength like that isn't easy to come by.

I mean, I don't know if I'd say wrong, but... seriously? Attacking people with no reason isn't about being strong.

[He hunches his shoulders up, looking a little distressed.]

No, but if I remember right, you said you interrupted his work.

[That's a fair reason to snap! Maybe not so excessively, but he'll judge if he ever meets the guy.] Don't worry. I don't take kindly to unusual cruelty. But a little pain isn't so bad in the long run...

Saw! I saw his work. I was just walking by, and I tried to leave in a hurry, but he caught me and roughed me up.

[He slumps down a few more inches, pulling a sad face.]

... I still don't know what he was doing. Something about it looked weird, but I didn't recognize any of the symbols.

Oh, so it was exceptionally suspicious. [He raises his index finger.]

You should be careful yourself, Tsuzuki. If you want, you can call me for help from now on!

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