nemuru | ( INBOX )

rattlesnake
i hope this massage finds you well
it's slipped my mundo to ask , but have you been taking up requests for help around the city
i know my cute runt supper is the more relaxed typal , but i wanted to warn you against taking on the more extremist requests
some of them require you to exceeded the safety of city bounds and may lead to infection or injury
additions , have you noticeable any odd changes with your body lately
?
it seems some indie vitals have but the appearance rate seems roughly happen hazard
as always you can confidant in your loving eldritch brother if you're ever in knee of me
always loving ,
you're o knee chin

stp txtg me aftr i ddn rply 1st tme y cnt u gt it dn wnt 2 tlk 2 u

( !!!!!!! ritsu replied!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! )

rambunctious
!
!
!
!
!

( a lengthy pause. he ... struggles to scroll back up to what ritsu wrote, and then spends another good while trying to decipher it, which requires him to kind of hold the watch away from his face at varying lengths to make out the shape of the letters, and then figure out it's all abbreviated... which makes sense, because if they'd been full words he'd have been able to guess each one faster.

okay, okay, he's got this, normal human teenager texting ritsu brotherly bonding time resume!!! )

don't be like that
we should rely one on another when stoked in a foreign palace like this shouldn't we
as your older bother i'm always thinking about you
speaking of the other evening i saw a shawl that remitted me of you it was black with cute little cats playing with yarn embroidery into it
natural springs i purchased it right away
when are you next free ? i would like to gift it to you and see how well it suits you
p s please don't forego to to send your address i will send mine again sept pear rate lie later

[ god does he regret this already. ]

dnt wnt gv 2 sm1 els krusnp mgt lik n e way adrs is n2k base n u dnt n2k dnt wnt urs ethr

( AN EXTREMELY LONG PAUSE, )

wheat does this say

[ he defeated his brother........................ good ]

no

Edited 2019-05-28 22:16 (UTC)

but runts sand u uuuu u u undulation
if there exits an emergency i won't be able to rush hour to your side will i?
it's a matter of practicality
also i wanted to bring you a house warmth ing gift and introduce myself to your house mates and ensure they aren't poor influenzas on you nor are they reckless

hsmt r 2grl 1gy nel chsd intrd out w knf ira ok sal ok

[ .........a second text after a moment, ]

maaaaaaaaaaaakuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuun cld prb ndrst me hes btr thn u i wsh he ws hre nstd of u i mss maaaaaaaaaaaaakuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuun

( the first text is kind of hard to decipher but he's thinking at least a few of these abbreviations are names...? maybe... or maybe they just stand for other words... he'll decipher this text in full (well, all of them, really) after, and probably gank some glasses off someone... ritsu's very generously offering rei time to talk with him, and he doesn't want to waste it.

the second text though... not that hard to decipher, just based on context and what he knows. and he knows. )

i know

( he doesn't really have the right to wish he was as close to ritsu as mao is, and there's no point in feeling stung when ritsu rebuffs him ... because rei dug this grave, and it's only reasonable that he lies in it. it just hurts that ritsu's so unhappy here. is he lonely, too? should rei help him find more friends...? )

i'll continuing research on the mirrors
i'll send you home as soon as i can

Edited 2019-05-28 22:45 (UTC)

[ why does rei think he can do everything himself? he's always like this - ritsu feels like he was born like this. rei has to do this for someone, has do to that for someone else, has to be in constant movement or he dies, like a fish.

(the fact mao is the same way is hardly lost on him, but at least mao was within reach. was always within reach.)

ritsu doesn't reply for a bit, tossing his watch between his hands as a way to calm himself down. they're out a piano still, despite the music hall, and he doesn't feel like moving to find another or find someone to conjure him one - even if his fingers itch for the feeling of smooth keys beneath them, the pedals beneath his feet, the emptiness that comes with letting his mind wander and his head fill to the brim with chopin, with liszt and mozart and schubert, with ousama... ]

dnt bthr we blng hre mre thn n e 1 els

( that one, also, isn't too difficult to decipher, and maybe it's because he's begun to wonder the same himself. not ritsu—never ritsu—but himself; their kind.

it isn't true, logically. if they'd been brought over without magic or these infectious monster traits— their silly condition would pale against the plights of the creatures called monsters here. but between the two groups—witches and monsters—the way they lived— the way they were looked to outsiders looked like one thing when they were the other. )

you're human
we've both been always human , no matter what they say

( and how scary that is to admit. it's one thing to admire humanity, but to be human yourself is so hard. to be human—to be vulnerable—to have no excuse for why you're treated this way, or why you're alone. but if he repeats it enough, it might become true.

"they" could be anybody. their family, or well-meaning friends, or peers who don't know them. "they" could be anybody besides them, because, he doesn't mean to, but he's still separated out from everybody else, just a little bit. but ritsu doesn't have to be.

he turns in his coffin, uneasy as to how to follow up in a situation like this, through text. would ritsu end the conversation if rei asked to call...? he's certain ritsu wouldn't let him come over to comfor thim. )

knights don't treat you any differently do they ?
and neither does icicle ra kin
to them you're only you
bit by bit they drag you into the sun where you can stay
you shouldn't deny either you or them the opportune city

[ nah.

he guesses none of them have really cared (even if it takes a bit of context work to get mao from rei's typing), either about what he is or isn't, or who he is - to them, he's only ever been "ritsu sakuma". sleepy and staying on the edges of society, watching and thinking of how he'd never be apart of that; how he isn't allowed to be, the ground much softer and cooler and shadier, the night preferred with its soft moonlight and still air.

and yet

someone grabbed his hand, pulled him to play; regardless of what he says, he's never been ungrateful for the warmth, the excitement. while watching was still more of what he could do, rather than playing, to have someone who would come up to chat to him between games, or brighten up when he'd see him, or be a big, stupid crybaby...

and too

someone pulled him along after that, recognized him as someone outside of a shadow cast by a far more charismatic and likable existence, had him play a part in some ridiculous performance simply because they needed the numbers. and afterward, had found him interesting, had spent time with him as loneliness crept into his heart.

and yes

things had hurt, with both. things had been terrible, but pulling away, attempting to put distance between him (fated for the night) and them (fated for the day) hadn't worked. humanity is so stubborn in keeping the status quo, even as things change and grow. he isn't sure, exactly, how to follow this up either - these are things he acknowledges and knows, despite how much easier it is to fall back to poor habits -

but he'd been trying to get better. to work towards a better knights, to be friends with others, to burden mao less. hadn't he? he had, and just because none of them are here - his reasons for improvement, for being - doesn't mean he should slack off... it doesn't, but out of sight, out of mind, even with them ever present in his aching heart -

ritsu takes care in typing his place of residence's address, tapping send and then a second, equally carefully set of texts: ]

let other people do something too anija
theres a hundred odd of us at least
not to mention those coven people
they can deal with stupid mirror stuff
they want us to help with that infection thing
its dangerous but not so bad with a partner
went out earlier this month with midorin to handle a manticore baby
even someone useless like you could help with that kinda thing
anyway
dont say such older brotherlike things it doesnt suit you just like your hair doesnt

( in the time between rei's reply and ritsu's text he wonders briefly if he had gone too far in the time he'd been allotted by ritsu, his brother's patience extended by their unusual circumstance, and if that's so then it had been enough. not enough for rei—never; he's the type to stay hungry—but enough for ritsu, he hopes, because rei managed to say a thing or two before ritsu pushed away.

then comes an address, sudden at first, before the meaning settles in his mind, and then things seem okay. not even okay, maybe; just better, and better than before, and sometimes that's okay enough. )

must all your generosity toward me come with thorns ? though i suppose i'm in no proposition to complain
i quiet like my hair the way it is these days
just as we all try come to like ourselves a little bit better over time
i'll take what you've said and carve it with love into the caverns of my heart
no matter how cruelty you craft your words as daggers into me , i'll treasure always your words and your voice

( which is one thing—one's relationship with one's own self is a difficult thing—but to work with someone else—to have a partner, as ritsu's getting at—that's another, and maybe more difficult, even, than making peace with whatever he is, in this life he'd been born into.

he'll remember it, because it's rare for ritsu to offer him such gifts, even if it sits uncomfortable in his stomach, difficult to digest. )

more processingly
you went to fight one of the creatures out beyond ?
riddle stutter , you do recall i said we're only human , yes?
if icicle ra kin knew he'd go into comma dose shock
did you take care that you were safe during the ordeal? were you injured ?
i thank you kindly for the address i've quiet instantly memorized
i think i'll use this privilege to come by and insurance my darling brother hasn't gotten himself scraped up when he mistook playing in the wilde as playing in the mud as all good boys do

( ok that isn't just a diversion, for real, he is on his way, if you are hurt you are in for a fussing over, mister )

if u cm wil tel hdch tht ur ntrdr n shl kll u

[ bold terribly typed words for someone who is likely home alone. ]

would you ?

( have amused, half sort of a question. it wasn't too long ago in his memory that ritsu wished him dead quite brusquely, but this ritsu is from ... a little later, isn't he? he wonders if their relationship is better then, or if it's gotten worse. )

it wouldn't be strange to die somewhere like this
and words do have power rangers
if you're not careful , maybe o knee chin really will die here ... ?

( this is, slightly guilt trippy, but it's again a sort of inquiry, to see how strongly ritsu feels about the matter. the ritsu he knows... probably wouldn't have it in his heart to back off when barbed so little with such weak words, but this ritsu...? he seems more patient, rei's observed, but it's difficult to tell whether it's due to their circumstances or due to ritsu's growth during some period of time rei had missed (again).

but he isn't dishonest, either. just the day before yesterday, things... had happened, and maybe things could've turned out worse— not that ritsu needs to know. he did want to hug ritsu to feel better, because there's no one he can really talk to it about in good conscience, but maybe it's unfair to use ritsu for his own comfort...? he really is worried about ritsu too, though, and whether he got hurt out in the wilde and isn't saying anything— to rei, at least. )

Edited 2019-06-11 05:23 (UTC)

[ this isn't fair.

and rei has to know it isn't. ritsu curls up tighter, scrapes stinging with the motion - even with the help from that wilder, they sting - and squints at the screen in frustration. ]

then die

[ he doesn't mean it. he rarely really does, in his heart of hearts, but it's buried deep beneath pain and hurt and resentment. their relationship has changed a little, yet has changed little; with other people is another story, but it isn't so easy to let go of silent days spent quietly in the garden terrace, avoiding knights and their fights - preferring being alone to raised voices and the panic of losing more and more people.

even if by then, he'd already lost quite a few. ]

hry up cm hr gt ovr w im trd

( though it stings, a part of him expected as much. patient though this ritsu may be compared to his own, he was thorny still toward rei. to hope their relationship would be by far more repaired by halloween was ... a silly hope, and one he lacks the right to have.

but he knows, too, ritsu—probably—doesn't mean it, and perhaps, optimistically, it might be nice to think ritsu's prickly reply disguises more affectionate emotion. they're brothers, aren't they? )

if my deer ist ruby stuck wants me over so soon then i'll be over postman haste !

( responding normally, as if everything were normal and ritsu hadn't said what he had, as usual. it was an unfair question, anyway, to both of them.

rei's pace is not the quickest, but he's there fairly soon despite it being a brand new location, with the help of a little sweet talking to the locals every few blocks or so— he's as worried about ritsu's potential injuries as he is eager to see his darling brother. (though he does delay arriving to the door by a minute or two, to scope out the sort of housing ritsu's arranged for himself ... acceptable, he decides. he'd still rather ritsu live with him, but this is enough, for now.

and then!! very politely, he knocks on the door (and rings the bell, if there is one). )

Edited 2019-06-23 07:26 (UTC)

[ there probably is, and ritsu waits to hear it before he languidly heads down, peeking out the peephole to see rei - resting against the door with a sigh. he told him to come over, but that doesn't really mean he wants him to see ...

he opens the door, rubbing the back of his neck. ]

You had a shawl or something for me, right?

[ get THAT out of the way. ]

( rei!!! is dressed suspiciously warm for summer—a high color ruffle blouse with a vest over it (he didn’t want to commission a turtleneck)—especially since sakumas aren’t ones to handle heat well. there’s also, hm, something about his nose, where the color seems ... a little off ...

he also has... a colorful, large box! it has a pretty gothic pattern on it, and also a bright, red bow.

rei lights up when he sees ritsu, naturally. )

Ritsu....! How lovely it is to see you again! I have plenty for you; but if you’re cold, why not let onii-chan warm you up with an embrace? Come, come, let me in; I’ll take care to warm my little brother right up ♪

( ritsu’s only safe from rei making good on that promise Right Now given rei’s hands are occupied with the box. )

[ plenty for him... nah- ]

We're good out here, right? Isn't like it's that cold or anything like that. [ especially with how rei's dressed; ritsu's in lighter clothing, but he can get away with longer sleeves given he's inside and can go sleep in the basement-cellar if he wants to. it's very chill down there. ] Actually, it's kinda hot... Anija, you're waaaaaay too resilient. Like a real life cockroach, nothing can get rid of you, huh.

Come now, are you sure that's the first thing you ought to say to your loving elder brother the moment you see him? I did venture into the unforgiving heat only to see your cute little face, so perhaps I deserve a reward? If not a hugsies, then at least a kissy on the cheeksies, as is custom for the youngest children?

( he's... thinking of very young children. like little baby pre-K children who use kisses as currency for things like cookies.

so, like, ritsu's age. )

[ why can't they take "he didn't immediately shut the door on rei's face" as the reward instead ]

Thanks for coming, Anija. [ dry as hell. he'll like, extend his hand... you know, for like a handshake, like at a meeting event. ] Yep, yep, I re~ally appreciate your support...

( HE CAN'T EVEN TAKE THAT HAND, HIS HANDS ARE FULL... RITSU MEANY... uuu...!!!! fidgets as he looks at the hand like he wants to take it but!!! no!!! he's not a fan!!! he has to be firm and only accept sibling handshakes...! not fan handshakes !!!!

... even if ritsu's doing it on purpose, he can't help but always so ardently try to remind ritsu he's never stopped loving him or being his brother !!!! he'll never leave him alone again...! )

Must you treat us like we're strangers...!? We're brothers, aren't we? We were just having a fun conversation via phone-like messages as a real family would, weren't we...!? Failing anything else, at least our family resemblance is perfectly undeniable...!

( Checkmate Ritsus )

You really ought to stop putting such strain on this tender, old heart of mine...

Edited 2019-07-06 10:02 (UTC)

[ as long as ritsu is alive and well he'll bully his older brother. ]

Maybe if you ask really nicely and get on the floor like Maakun would, I'd consider it. [ besides, a little strain on rei's heart is nothing compare to the strain ritsu's had to bear. ] Did you really just call 'em phone-like messages...? Whatever it looks like, that dumb watch thing's a phone, so it's not "phone-like"... They're just texts.

( INBOX )

5/22

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pls hover also,

sjdiwohokdj

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