thefarshore | Heaven's BBS

Entry tags:

Heaven's BBS | Voice

Posted: May 23rd
From: Eros

[His tone is measured and purposeful, determined.]

Gods are powerful. No matter who we are, there's strength in all of us, terrifying strength we might not even understand. We can choose to control it, abuse it, and use it for whatever purpose suits our needs or the needs of the people.

But shinki aren't given that same choice.

As you might've heard... my shinki had a new name forced upon him while he was still in my care, by a god who couldn't have cared less and saw him as a tool. You heard what he had to say regarding freedom and rights and some of you even addressed his questions. ... You know he's afraid. You know that your shinki have wondered the same exact things from the moment they stood by your side. Whether we're trustworthy or kind or even worth their effort.

After all, we're strangers to them. And like it or not, we might as well be their biggest threat.

So... why not change that?

I want to form a defense team; a group dedicated to protecting shinki and their integrity. They shouldn't have to rely on us for their lives. They deserve proper rights and freedom and choice just as much as we do. And if any other gods believe the same, then I'd hope you'd consider working with me.

As for any shinki listening in: you aren't a tool. You're you before you're anyone else. If there's anything you need to say, tell me. I'll listen.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[~~Does he want to be the very best, like no one ever was?~~]

Then name your game. Not like it'll matter; I'd give you my best either way.

[He is the best. And there is no one like him. Mission accomplished, thank you.]

Janken.

[It comes out without him even thinking about it.

Which... makes him think about it. Because what even is that?]

[Team Same blasting off agaaaiiin~

Anyway, this is a serious discussion, ok? Or, well, it was supposed to be, but now he feels as if they've completely derailed. Not necessarily a bad thing. After recent events, it'd be best for them to keep matters lighthearted for a while.

... But this-- Maybe it's a little too much.]

Jan... ken?

[It comes out slowly, as if he's testing the word on his tongue. There it is again. Another memory popping out of nowhere. It could be reflexive, just like the cooking, just like putting one foot in front of the other. Or maybe-- No. It's not that. It's never that. He needs to stop getting his hopes up every single time.

Rin clears his throat and the moment passes as quickly as it came.]

That's pretty childish, don't you think?

[Sousuke doesn’t have to wait for that confused repeat of the word for his mind to turn over that word in his head. Janken. It sounds familiar, which he already knows is a bad thing to dwell on. But he’s said it and no matter what he tries to skirt around, he can’t come up with a definition for what it is. Frustrating, but something he has to swallow down lest it damage them.]

A- … Aa…

[His own confusion plays in his voice easily enough and he frowns at the screen as he leans back against the wall. Came out of nowhere and now sitting on his tongue and mind waiting to be fulfilled. It’s not something that’s going to go away either; he feels that.]

Childish? I don’t know. What is it?

[It's times like these when it really hits him... when reality slaps him right in the face and reminds him of the horrible truth: his best friend doesn't know who he is. All of it, everything that made them them-- Just when they start to feel natural, something has to come up and drag that feeling back down.

It leaves his throat tight and his chest sore, but he ignores all that for Sousuke's sake.]

It's a game kids like to play. Usually they play it to make decisions and things like that.

... I can teach you though, if you want.

[He hesitates at the other boy’s response on the other side of the connection. Even as the uncomfortable feeling settles into his mind, the same thing that tells him not to continue down this mental path, Rin’s reaction only confirms that it’s something connected to Rin’s past that Sousuke’s just accidentally stumbled upon. Similar to how Sousuke’s looks also trigger that. It’s his assumption; Rin’s never explicitly confirmed it, but… he’s pretty sure it’s the truth. So, as Rin does, Sousuke ignores it and pushes it to the side.

Even if things are forgotten or nostalgic, that doesn’t make them bad. Doesn’t mean he can’t learn about them again, right? He can still enjoy his favorite food even if he doesn’t remember it.]

Aa. Teach me. I’ll pick it up fast.

[So he says. But how hard can it be? Especially if kids like to play it.]

And beat you at it.

[Didn’t forget that little aspect.]

[It's a lot more than something connected to just Rin's past... but that's ok. It'll just have to become part of their present. Even if it hurts.]

It's easy. You just--

[Wait. Oh, so that's how he's going to be, is he?]

Hah. I'll have you know I'm a champ when it comes to janken. I never lose.

[Especially to you.]

[Well he didn't know that. But he's still curious about what this Janken thing is. Even if it's for kids, Rin knows it and if Rin knows it, then what's the harm in learning about it too? Even if it's from his past, so?

Sousuke can't ignore life just because he doesn't have his memories. Neither of them should. So he challenged him, right off the bat on something he doesn't even know. Hah. Take that.]

You sure you want to teach me then?

[Why yes, he's going to be like that.]

You won't be a champ anymore if you do.

[He scoffs and mayyybe even rolls his eyes. Just a little.]

I don't mind. Because I'm confident I'll keep my title no matter what.

[So, after taking a second to crack his knuckles--oh yes, it's that serious--Rin lifts his right hand up into view of the screen, fingers curled into a fist.]

You have three choices to make in Janken. Rock, [He flattens his hand out this time.] paper, [And now he lifts two fingers up.] and scissors. You and I have to yell "Janken!" at the same time, and on "-ken!" we throw our choice down.

If I choose scissors and you choose paper, you would lose, because scissors cuts paper, see? But if we both do scissors, then we have to keep going until someone wins.

Rock beats scissors, scissors beats paper, paper beats rock.

[...]

I beat you.

[He sees that eye roll, but lucky you, he’ll say nothing. Only makes an obviously “hn” sound that’s anything but believing Rin’s words. Now he definitely has to win.

As Rin’s knuckles crack over the speakers, Sousuke lifts one shoulder, rolling it as he leans his head to the side and both his neck and shoulder pop from the motions. Yeah, it’s definitely serious.

Teal eyes focus on the screen, watching the demonstration. Fist. Rock. Flat hand. Paper. Two fingers. Scissors. Listening to the instructions, he pays attention even as his mind puts things together quickly. Once Rin’s done, he snorts softly.]

Simple.

[He can already play it out in his head.]

You can back out now before you lose. Last chance.

[Oh, it's definitely on now. Rin watches Sousuke with a confident grin on his face and once he has it down, he scoffs right back.]

Not a chance.

[So here he goes, taking a deep breath...]

Get ready to lose! JAN-!

[He's not grinning confidently; nope, he's simply going to give a smug little "you asked for it" smile and lift his shoulders. Some people need it proven to get the point.]

Aa.

[So doesn't believe him at all. As Rin takes his breath, Sousuke lifts his hand to make sure it's in view of the screen and so he can see Rin's.]

-KEN!

[And slaps down the mighty rock!]

[All right, time to focus. Time to show who's going to do all the proving here! And with Sousuke's hand in view of the screen, Rin lifts his own, fingers tense--

--then promptly throws his choice down with a force strong enough to rattle the screen.

ROCK!

... Damn! Same choice! Time to go again. Without stalling,]

ONCE MORE!

[And this time it's... scissors!]

[Sousukea arches a brow at the result. Both of them picked rock? So then does that mean they tie? He looks "upward" before realizing he can't exactly see Rin's face on the screen.

But it doesn't matter; his question's answered when that yell flies over the connection. Wait- Already?! Sousuke stumbles once on the first, but he's right there on the second and--]

-KEN!

[Slaps down the paper to cover Rin's ro-- ...

Shit, he lost?!]

[This is simple, childish, and to most probably silly, but for Rin this is the most familiar thing the two of them have done ever since they reunited, and as such it lights his body on fire inside and out. It's... indescribable, this feeling. How comfortable it is, how right it is. Sousuke may never know, but... Rin's happy for this.

Slowly, the pieces of their relationship are coming back together.]

YES!!

[He won, he won! And with a triumphant fist pump he breaks into a victory laugh, bright and loud. For a moment, everything felt as if it never changed at all.]

[Someone's really happy for simply winning a kid's game. (Though considering how upset Sousuke is inside for losing that same kid's game, he's probably got no room to talk.) Talk about a competitive spirit. He pulls his hand back and glares at it, like his fingers are the offending presence in the room. Not doing what they're told...]

Che.

[And looks away from the screen with a small pout. It's tempting to smoosh the device down onto the bed to drown out that triumphant laughter. But... ugh, whatever. Rin won. And if Sousuke'd won, well he'd probably be rubbing it in Rin's face too. Screw 'probably;' he would.]

[Ha. Typical response. And he's going to enjoy it for however long it lasts, grumpy pout and all. Come on, bro, don't be so upset! You'll have other chances to win. ... of course all those chances will end up with you losing, but, hey, they're still chances!]

And that's how it's done.

[Snicker]

I should win some sort of prize!

[Shut up. He's not pouting. And he's not upset! He just doesn't feel like watching you gloat in his face is all. He's going to win all those chances and you're going to end up regretting you ever taught him this game. So there. He's going to become the best Janken player between them!]

Don't expect me to go easy on you next time.

[Bravado grump now.]

Should, but you never wagered. Too bad.

[Ha. Ha.]

[Sure, sure, that's what they all say.]

Shouldn't've gone "easy" on me this time.

[He rolls his eyes, still as smug as ever... but after a brief pause his expression softens and he offers a warm smile.]

Ah, well. It was still fun.

[You challenging him, bro?]

I didn't want to make you pout after all that talk.

[This might be completely petty of him, but if Rin's going to be a smug about it, he'll give some right back.

Though... the soft, warm smile more or less pops a hole in his attitude and he concedes with a gentle breath.]

Aa. It was.

[Always, dude.]

I wouldn't have pouted.

[Another laugh... then, since they're already so casual,]

Hey, uh-- Are you hungry at all?

[He knows this whole thing was supposed to be serious and purposeful, but... it might be worth it to take it easy in the castle right now. You know, considering everything that's happened.]

[Bring it on then.]

You would have; I've seen it.

[Though he's definitely sounding lighter about it and there's a playful touch to his voice. Wait... Hungry?]

Aa. Why?

[Truth be told, he's always hungry. No matter how much he eats. It's apparently a shinki thing. Something Rin'll never hear about though. Nope. And really, they could probably do without anything negative or stressful for a while.]

Would not.

[But, yes, hungry!]

I just thought maybe I'd get dinner started. I picked up some pork the other day, you know.

[Once again, it's totally a lucky guess that Sousuke happens to like pork. More specifically, pork cutlets.]

Would too.

[Maturity. And fine, hungry.]

Pork? Oy, I'll be down in a few so don't get started without me.

[Because one, pork is amazing and he wants some. And two, they still haven't determined who's the better cook and Sousuke's set on the answer being "me."]

Would not.

[Totally mature.]

What, you want to cook too?

[Sigh]

Oy, I don't mind doing it. I told you that.

Heaven's BBS | Voice

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