hollow plots and zombens

[made_up_names]

WHO: Peter Parker, Zomben, and all sorts of unlucky people
WHAT: Hollow!Uncle Ben (aka Zomben) has started to show up on campus. There will be an open comment (for generally being chased) as well as specific prompts for pre-plotted encounters.
WHEN: Very late on January 27th, forward dated to later in the week as well.
WHERE: Campus in general, also the gazebo in Soleil.

( Prompts are below so I can set up a general timeline-ish-thing! katoptron or Rho#9327 if you want me to set up something specific. Or just zoom yourself to the open comment and we'll just have some fun there.

I will match format, so if you prefer prose, prose away! )

Comments

[betheman]

[Fortunately, delicate wouldn't have done anything more than make Gongenzaka suggest it himself; or perhaps that's unfortunate?

As it is, he nods his head, ears drooped.] A...Aauh. ...He did, in fact... ...state he would 'enjoy' it...

[His voice is quieter when he says that- unsure if he should say even that much. He certainly doesn't want to relay that Hollowben also said he was 'disappointed' in their friendship.]

[made_up_names]

[ Peter winces at that. Drifting closer to rest his hand on Gon's back. ]

It's - yeah. A lycan killed him. He's after me, but ... he'd have really, really hurt you, I think.

[betheman]

[Gongenzaka pauses, and looks to Peter quietly. He's not entirely sure what to say- there isn't a lot that one can even appropriately say, for that matter, and quietly he finds himself just...closing his eyes.]

...You...

...you witnessed it, [he manages quietly.] ...I assume, at least...

...There is always...so much that so many, hide...for one reason, or another. The people, involved, are then left, with a burden...

[He swallows, quiet.] ...I feel... ...to say, 'I am sorry', is perhaps hollow, and yet...

My condolences, and apology... ...they are all I can offer.

...I, was in the end, unharmed. ...For yourself, however... ...I fear, it is a greater wound, than physical, which you have been given...

[made_up_names]

[ That's a good assumption. He'd shown absolutely no surprise at Ben's wound or his reaction to Gon, after all.

He's quiet for a moment. Just. Taking in deep breaths. ]

You think it wouldn't've wounded me if you'd gotten hurt? We're friends, right?

[betheman]

I-

[There are tears in the bear's eyes, or at least enough to coat them with a shine of water. The sniff that comes only further betrays his emotions.] ...I, could never assume-

I... ...Absolutely, I have considered us, to be friends..! ...It is, because we are friends, that I say that..! I...

[Ooof. He feels like when he's arguing with Yuuya over something concerning him...] ...Snff...

...I am glad, to be your friend..! [he finally manages.] ...But more than this...though the wounds, could have been made worse by that, indeed...I wish, I could help, with the wounds that our encounter with 'them' created, to begin with..!

[made_up_names]

[ Oh no, the bear is crying. Good job making the bear cry, Peter. He leans down a little, just. Kind of stopping? Putting his arms around the bear. This would be weird if Gon was human, but there's something nice and pleasant about putting his arms around something large and furry. ]

Well - I mean, you're helping already? You saw the faces I made when I first met you. That's still gonna take some work.

[ Gon didn't magically cure Peter of his own prejudices. He's just provided a good counterexample. ]

[betheman]

[Here come the Water Works- loud and weepy, and with the hug started, Gongenzaka is going right ahead to hug back.

Which at least spares poor Peter from getting bear tears all over him, or something.

It might not be quite when the hug is over, but when he at least tries to wipe his tears away, Gongenzaka speaks again.] Snf...a...Auh- naturally, that is to be, expected..! Even our own dojo...there are many who we ourselves, have encountered, who are more akin to, the 'expected'...

I am, proud then, to be considered, trustworthy enough, to be a friend..!

[awww]

[made_up_names]

[ Oh. He really is getting bear hugs, isn't he? This would probably be uncomfortable for a normal human, but with his strength Peter can handle it. He hugs back a little, laughing? It's kind of a watery laugh but it's something. ]

Well - I mean, how can I not? You're like the softest person I know.

[betheman]

Snff..! Ah- Soft..? [There is another sniff, and Gongenzaka pulls back from the hug somewhat to look down at himself a moment.] ...I suppose, this may be true, with all of my fur...but, how is...

[oh wait] ...OH! It is, that soft..!

[language is hard ok]

[made_up_names]

[ That's not what he meant, but hey, Gon gets another laugh out of Peter. ]

Yeah, that too. Really hard to hate all of this.

[ He pats that nice soft bear fur. ]

[betheman]

Auh! I am glad to hear this, then..! I take, very good care to clean my fur!

[BEAR BATHS...they're a thing!] ..though, I cannot use, quick-drying methods...

[do not blow dry the bear,]

Mnh- ...We should perhaps, continue inside, however.

[made_up_names]

[ Now Peter is imagining a giant poofy bear, thanks Gon. ]

-- Oh, yeah. It's freezing out here.

[betheman]

Mnnh! [He himself doesn't have much issue, but, well...] You are from 'Aube', yes? Let us head there, first then, [He insists, nodding.]

[made_up_names]

Okay, okay. As long as you're not hurt.

[ Peter ... is not the biggest fan of cold, but he does warm a little hotter than usual. ]

[betheman]

Auh! As I said, I am absolutely fine! [He insists, waving a paw.

Let's just get inside that dorm now, alright.]

[made_up_names]

[ Peter gladly heads inside yes. Flopping into a chair as soon as they make it to the common room. ]

Do you wanna stay here tonight? If you gotta walk back alone...

[betheman]

Mnh? Stay at your dorm, Peter..?

[He blinks rather rapidly, stammering somewhat.] Is...

...Are you certain, that it will be alright..?

[made_up_names]

Course it is. There's no rule against it, unless you're breaking curfew at yours I guess.

[ A pause. ]

And I don't have a roommate, so you can stay in my room.

[betheman]

Auhh....technically, I think, I am allowed to be outside longer than you, actually... [....He won't tell, given they were Literally Attacked though and theoretically that affected them being out beyond that point.] ...As long as you are certain, [He adds, nodding his head.] Auh...

...There is, a strong chance, I will still be asleep, well into the morning, I should warn...

[That Were Exhaustion,]

[made_up_names]

[ Yeah uh. Peter's curfew is super shot by now and has been all week. Oops. ]

That's okay. I'll probably be exhausted too, honestly. I'm not a were, but my powers wear me out too.

[betheman]

[After everything that's happened, he can't help but laugh.] AAhaah..!

Well..! In that case, we shall see who wakes first! At the very least, I suppose, we will enjoy breakfast together!

[made_up_names]

[ A thumbs up from Peter at that. ]

Awesome. I'll bring back, like, all the bacon and eggs they have.

[betheman]

Ahahaa! There is more than just bacon and eggs- you should try, many of their foods! [He encourages.] If I, am the first to wake, I will make sure, there is 'variety' for us both!