Everybody's Working for the Weekend!

[leekspins]

WHO: #1: Peter Parker [Closed]; #2 Tokidoki Rikudoh and Noboru Gongenzaka [Closed]; #3: [OPEN!]
WHAT: Weekend antics! Whether it's getting to hear Peter's crimefighting stories, fighting deep-set mental trauma, or running around Soleil shopping for sewing materials and spending time with friends, Orihime is guaranteed to never be bored.
WHEN: January 19th-20th, 2019
WHERE: #1: On Campus, Peter's Dorm Room; #2 & #3: Soleil


[Log #1: Peter Parker and Orihime Inoue]

[When Orihime arrives at Peter's dorm, she has a backpack slung over her shoulder, sagging heavily with the sheer weight of all the soda she brought. She couldn't decide on what to get from the vending machine, so she just pumped in her coins and got one of everything. Why not? She can splurge for this.]

[As she waits, it hits her that maybe...maybe...she really shouldn't be hanging out in a boy's room. It's not very proper, and she wouldn't want people to start getting the wrong idea. But no one seems to be around to take note (yet), so...maybe it's fine. She's heard that boys and girls sometimes room together, so maybe that kind of thing just isn't a big deal in France.]

[It's fine.]

[Besides, she's excited to hear about his stories. A real superhero...! And he's so young, too! This is going to be amazing and spectacular.]

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[Log #2: Noboru Gongenzaka, Tokidoki Rikugou, Orihime Inoue]

[After meeting with White Chain, Orihime's definitely glad for a chance to catch her breath and be around friendly faces. Tokidoki is always positive and cheerful, and she's looking forward to spending more time with him. While she's never met Gongenzaka, he seemed pretty polite when she spoke with him over the network.]

[She waits for them just outside the school gates, gloved hands behind her back, nuzzling her nose into her scarf and exhaling to warm her face with her breath. She's got a list of measurements and notes in her pocket so she can get all the things she needs for her massive sewing project. If she can earn enough, maybe she can invest in that runic armor equipment that Gunvolt told her about.]

[Hearing footsteps crunch in the snow, she perks up and turns to greet the first person to arrive.]

Good morning! Are you ready to go?

--------------------

[Log #3: [OPEN!]]

[There are plenty of people who seemed interested in going to the sewing supply store in town to choose the materials for their formal clothes, so Orihime is more than happy to walk them around and point out good bargains, as well as mentioning the pros and cons of good quality cloth versus something cheaper but easier to clean.]

[But she could be spotted anywhere in town, especially near the bakery where she stares in awe at the display case through the window. Someday, she'll have a fancy cake store of her own. Or at least a part-time job at a place like this! ...Maybe... Now that she knows about the impending doom of Nightfall, a cake shop isn't as important to her future as it used to be. She should be sad about that, but...she's not. It feels good to do something important for a change, and to get strong enough to protect the people she cares about.]

Comments

[leekspins]

[Orihime's head snaps around the moment she hears someone start to scream. Her body is tense, and several other people nearby turn in alarm. It doesn't take her long to find the source, and there's a sudden stab of panic in her chest.]

Tokidoki!

[Was he attacked?!]

Noboru, what happened?!

[Her gaze tracks briefly to Gongenzaga's mummified face, seeing the wideness of his eyes between the folds of his scarf and hat. She reaches for Tokidoki's hand but jerks her fingers back. It's hot...! Why is it hot?]

[Gritting her teeth and bracing herself, she tries again. His skin burns, but she holds on tightly.]

It's okay. I'm here! Tell me what's happening.

[yokeye]

[When Orihime touches him, it feels like flayed nerve endings for a moment, before it blends into the burning fire experience. Toki doesn't know what she's saying; he can't hear her over his screaming. The sensations are lasting longer than previous visions and that was not encouraging. After a couple minutes, the pain finally fades and all he feels is the sharp, stabbing migraine. But he's used to that by now, and it will go away very quickly.]

It's okay! I'm fine now!

[He hopes he hasn't freaked out poor Noboru.]

Sorry~! Did you find the shop?

[Best to move right along, townspeople were probably watching.]

[betheman]

[He's super freaked out- before he can even answer, Toki is sitting up like nothing is wrong at all. Gongenzaka, honestly, can't come up with anything to say. All that comes out is...hoarse choking as he stares.] Wh-

What do you mean fine!?

What was that!? [His voice might be a Bit pitched up with panic,]

[yokeye]

[He knows that choking noise. That's Gongenzaka's version of 'what the hell?' or 'how dare you!'. Toki feels like a total moron, because he knew Noboru was Gongenzaka's first name, and he should have remembered that. He wonders if this whole thing is a dream or an hallucination, and there's a chance it is, so there's hope. He hasn't seen Gongenzaka since the tea fiasco, but going as far as pretending not to know him isn't something Toki expected from such an 'honorable' guy. He's going to keep up this charade though, because he doesn't want to deal with the alternative.]

Don't worry, Noboru~! It happens all the time~!

[He can't talk about these things with Gongenzaka of all people, and he doesn't want it leading to discussion of that night. The flashbacks were unexpected and everything was just a mess.]

[leekspins]

[Her hands hurt. Lifting her thumb just a little, she can see just how red her skin got. She's burned...? It's not too bad, there aren't any blisters, but still... She's very quiet as she listens to Toki's cheerful reassurances, and the panic in her younger classmate's voice.]

That's true. It does!

[She smiles as she scoops up some snow, gently packing it against Tokidoki's open hand.]

It's a side effect. Some seers get headaches or feel dizzy, and Tokidoki screams! It's like when the doctor hits your knee with a hammer and your leg kicks all by itself. Just a reflex, ne? It scared me the first time I heard it too. But you get used to it!

[The coldness of the snow numbs her fingers, and feels good. Hopefully it'll help cool him too.]

Sorry, I guess I should have warned about that. I completely forgot because I was so excited to eat French food for lunch!

[Climbing to her feet, she offers an arm to help Tokidoki up.]

tfw i still don't have his bowing icon...

[betheman]

AUH-

[ohhhh he's given himself away. Gon immediately backs up, half sitting in the snow as his eyes widen with what is no doubt horror and regret.] ...You...

[While Orihime helps Toki up, Gongenzaka does not stand back up himself. Instead, he seems to be shaking his head.] That...but this is, akin to before, [he manages, sounding closer to tears more than anything.] It is closer to, when I, the man Gongenzaka, caused such panic, again..! I...

[...And immediately, he is face down to the snow, face upon his hands in a deep bow.] Is this not the fault of my being here, yet again..? ...Toki! [He proclaims, still face down.] ...After what occurred, that night in the common room...

When I, the man Gongenzaka, realized you were to shop with us, I wanted to do everything, to prevent that again..! To instill such panic...such terror, that you would cause yourself harm, even..! It was unforgivable, of me!

And yet, in simply being here, to even leave, would draw question...to even question, could risk it..! [He laments, voice wavering with the sound of what is likely honest weeping.] I...

I have no right, to even hope for forgiveness, now..!

I, the man Gongenzaka, should take my leave, now...and make ever more certain, in the future, that I do not bring harm to you again..! [He instead insists- still, of course, face down.]

[...So much for avoiding that topic, and for trying to make this shopping trip immediately enjoyable again?]

[yokeye]

[He appreciates Orihime's attempt at dismissing the whole thing, but he needs to correct her while she's doing... whatever... with the snow. He won't question it.]

I don't scream all the time! Just when it hurts!

[Like with the spiders; he's fine with the spiders. Toki takes her arm and lets her help him up... while Gongenzaka is freaking out and sounds like he's going to cry. They do not need to have this discussion in the street, but that's what's going to happen. Toki doesn't know where to start and he still has trouble understanding Gongenzaka, so that can't help. Toki's just going to explain as much as he can, as fast as he can, before he starts seeing the shrine massacre again.]

It wasn't your fault, Gongenzaka! You didn't do anything! You weren't even there the second time! I didn't know you were a-a.... and I didn't know that would happen! Sh-she died like a month and a half ago and I tried not to think about it and it's not working anymore! It was a bad night already with Kano and everything just hit me at once when I realized you were... and I saw her lying there in pieces like it was happening all over again! I couldn't--

[He's screeching and crying by the time he gets to end, and it hasn't gone as well as he'd hoped. He can't voice the last part and he's resorted to biting his hand again, but he's not screaming. It's a success over all.]

[leekspins]

[She honestly has no idea what to do anymore. Trying to cover for Toki isn't working, and both of her shopping companions are in tears.]

[How does she help them?]

[It doesn't really seem possible -- especially not when her last attempt just seemed to make everything worse. And really...what does anyone say to a person still suffering from the horrible death of a person they love?]

[So she doesn't say anything more than a vague sound in her throat as she holds her hands awkwardly in front of her. It kind of feels like they're trying to work things out between them, so maybe she should let them?]

[betheman]

[Covering is almost always destined to fail- either Gongenzaka won't understand, will assume someone Doesn't Know, or get upset because someone is lying.

Granted, in this situation he might have taken the latter and then awkwardly explained to Orihime later but...well. It flew over his head so unfortunately nothing can be simple today.

His head slowly raises however, as Toki's voice raises in pitch- and then rises into screaming. And then he's biting his hand again, oh god,

For something that isn't his fault, it's really feeling like his fault. But he can't do what he did for Maya- beyond the fact that it's a different sort of panic, he still feels like he's the source here. And Orihime is apparently just as lost as he is, standing there as well. Too many things are running through his head, none of them clicking as options, and finally-

In the exact same moment that he scoots himself back- not standing, which means the legs of his pants are going to be soaked by the end of this- a swift, brisk gust of wind blasts through to catch the snow that's been loosened by his absence.

It blows Right in Toki's face.] Auh....

[yokeye]

[When the gust of wind blows snow into his face...

...it's blood splattering on him from the carnage. He is not present in Soleil, but again back at the Nezu shrine with his sister's dismembered body. Everything is drenched in blood and the lycan is howling, the other patrons are screaming. He wants to scream himself, but he can't. He can only seem to stand there and watch...

...the panic has become too intense and he can't breathe. He can't see the body anymore; though only briefly do the shops of Soleil return before he collapses in the street.]

[leekspins]

[Orihime starts forward, hands lifted, when Tokidoki starts to totter. But he's down and out. Should she have moved in sooner? Patted his head and reassured him? She really has no idea what would help him, or really, if he even wants to be helped. Talking about it might make his brain overload with trauma.]

[It's something she'll have to ask later, in private. It's definitely not a conversation meant for public ears. ...Or unconscious ones either.]

[She steps forward and stoops down, slinging his arm over her neck and maneuvering him onto her back. Holding onto his wrists, his feet might drag a little, but she's done this before with someone much heavier when she was much smaller.]

I guess we should call it a day. It's okay if we look at fabric next weekend, isn't it, Noboru? I'm going to take Tokidoki to the infirmary and heal his injuries.

[betheman]

[Hey Toki?

You need therapy, Really bad,

Gongenzaka is frozen for half a minute more before Toki collapses- Orihime catching him first. Quietly, he pulls his scarf down and swallows.] I...

I, the man Gongenzaka...humbly ask, that I assist you, [He begins, offering an arm.] ...It is neither fair, nor polite, to not only create this incident, but then leave you with the aftermath. I...

[...]

...Perhaps, if we are both fortunate, Toki and I...he shall forget, all of this, [He manages.] ...I have never met someone, with such a response to a lycanthrope...

[leekspins]

It's not your fault, Noboru.

[Her lashes lower as she continues forward, putting one foot in front of the other.]

You heard what he said...ne? What he saw...the things that scarred him so badly... He's suffered for a long time and kept it hidden behind a smile. I can't even imagine what that was like.

[She turns her head and smiles faintly up at him.]

I want to ask him something when he wakes up. He might not answer if there are other people around. So please let me carry him for now.

[betheman]

[The words echo- more so, when Orihime makes her request. His hand falls from where he had held it out for her, and he looks down to the ground, quiet.] A...Auh.

[He can't be in the room with Toki.] Of course. I, the man Gongenzaka...understand...

[It feels...as though it is.] I...

..I shall see you, another time, then...perhaps, [he manages, his throat tight. He fears that another time might not come at all, with this.]

[leekspins]

Yes, definitely!

[She hates that he looks so broken-hearted about it, but she also feels he'd be hurt even more if Toki did wake up prematurely and panic a second time. ...Or third? It seems like this has happened before.]

Anou...do you prefer it if I call you by your last name? I'm sorry if I was too informal.

[betheman]

[It's happened a lot before, and that's why the worry is very valid.

He does blink, as Orihime asks him that question.] Auh...no, it is fine! [He insists.] If anything, it was rude of me, to take advantage...as most, therefore know me by 'Gongenzaka' rather than 'Noboru', I had hoped to speak with you when Toki was out of hearing range, but...

[Ah...he shakes his head.] ...Truthfully, whatever you prefer, is fine- it is only right. [She might be used to Noboru by now, for all he knows.]

[leekspins]

[He's really nice, isn't he? Orihime smiles gently.]

I can change. I've been living here for three years, and people prefer to have their first names used. So I adapted to that. It was a tough habit to break! But it feels more natural now.

[She hoists her friend a little higher up onto her shoulders.]

Let's come back tomorrow after school, just us. I still want to make you something nice, okay?

[betheman]

Auh... I see... [He seems a bit awkward about it, but all the same-] ...Gongenzaka...is admittedly preferred...Mnh-

[Unfortunately, that date...well.] Tomorrow... That may work, though, I, the man Gongenzaka, may be forced to put it off for another day, depending on this evening...

[It's supposed to be the full moon at its peak tonight- and if it's after school, that leaves precious little time to do the shopping before he has to head to the Mythril cage for night three of the full moon stretch as well.]

[leekspins]

That's fine! I'll change my schedule to suit you, I don't really have much going on once classes are over.

[He seems a little less dismal now, so she feels like it's probably safe to part ways.]

See you later, Gongenzaka-san! Let's look fashionable at the ball!

this looks like a good point to wrap up maybe :|a

[betheman]

A-Auhh, thank you for that, [He manages awkwardly, nodding.] Then, perhaps...Wednesday, if that is alright with you?

[If it is, then it is. Gongenzaka nods once again, and lets her leave.] Mnh. I shall see you, Orihime.