early deathday post, open to his cr from anywhere, game or psl

[goatsongs]

[Starting around the 15th of October, until the 22nd, Chuuya starts acting weirdly.

He doesn't want to be alone, ever. He won't go as far as physically clinging to you, but he'll make up excuses for joining you in whatever you're doing, even if it's as boring as watching grass grow. He's not as argumentative or bristly as he usually is.

He overeats, to the point of being bloated, and if he's questioned on it he gives a pained expression and changes the subject.

He doesn't drink alcohol. Not even one drop.

Whether you're in the National Library, or the City, or Yokohama, or anywhere - this is all alarming behavior for Chuuya. It might be time to ask him if something's going on.

Or you could just yell at him for bothering you for the third time in as many days, that's fine too, but don't be too surprised if you bring him to extremely uncharacteristic tears.]

Comments

[ghostfromthemachine]

[ squishing her own cheeks to try to calm down her blush, but that smile is enough to get an answering one out of her. success ]

I read Poems of Bygone Days, too... I don't suppose I can get autographs on them both once I've gotten my own copies.

[goatsongs]

[Looking at her like she's said something ridiculous:]

Of course you can.

[Even at full tsun he wouldn't say no to that??]

[ghostfromthemachine]

[ chokes off a laugh at his expression ]

I don't like taking friends for granted, all right.

[goatsongs]

...I understand the feeling.

[A little too well.]

But you've got me. Even if I say something stupid.

[ghostfromthemachine]

I would be lying if I didn't admit that as part of the draw.

[goatsongs]

[Normally, Chuuya would snap at her for that. Like 'What's that supposed to mean?!'

Now Chuuya just sighs.

She can stay with him for whatever reason she likes as long as she stays with him.]

[ghostfromthemachine]

What? It's no fun saying stupid things on my own.

[ climbing over the side of the couch to plop down and then pats the seat next over '^' get over here ]

[goatsongs]

[He will get over here, plopping next to her. Done with that conversation.]

What are we watching first?

[ghostfromthemachine]

[ reaching for the DVD pile ]

I was thinking one of these. Your pick.

[ offering him Pom Poko and Spirited Away ]

[goatsongs]

[He picks Spirited Away because I've actually seen that one.]

Not the spirits I'm used to seeing.

[ghostfromthemachine]

[ yeees. dropping down and scooting under the kotatsu to go put that in ]

Right, you had the... Taints, I think you said? Or were those something else?

[goatsongs]

Taints, yeah, but I'm a spirit too.

[...He opens a bag and shoves like three pretzels into his mouth at once. Time to eat this entire collection of snacks.]

[ghostfromthemachine]

[ whoop, time to start stealing things before he can lay claim to them all. candy plz ]

Mm, right. Sorry, you're different from my usual, too.

[goatsongs]

You're easier to talk to than Taints, for sure. And better at appreciating poetry.

[Instead of just eating it.]

[ghostfromthemachine]

I doubt that's difficult, considering you said they ate books.

[goatsongs]

That's why it was a joke.

[ghostfromthemachine]

[ makes a rude noise and sticks her feet in his lap ]

[goatsongs]

[does she have cold feet

...also when the movie gets to the girl being separated from her parents Chuuya's going to get really quiet, woops.]

[ghostfromthemachine]

[ nah, and she's wearing fuzzy socks anyway

she notices that, though, and after waiting for a bit of a lull in the action mentions off-handedly: ]

I wouldn't throw something with an unhappy ending at you without warning you first.

[goatsongs]

I know you wouldn't.

[Kaiko's better to him than that. And more perceptive about when he's in a bad place.

It's only because he's in such a bad place right now that even this much is visibly affecting him.]

[ghostfromthemachine]

[ ...pats his leg. with her foot. A+ comforting, good job Kaiko ]

Things get better.

[ she's not just talking about the movie. ]

[goatsongs]

Do they, really?

[He's not at all talking about the movie.]

[ghostfromthemachine]

Yes.

[ the way she says it holds no room for doubt. it can take a long time and the path to get there can be agonizing, but— if nothing else, nothing lasts forever. not even suffering. ]

Can you wait it out?

[goatsongs]

...Probably not. I won't still exist when the need for me is gone, you know.

[And everyone would like the Taints to disappear sooner rather than later, even if it means they'll disappear too.]

[ghostfromthemachine]

[ quietly hooks her ankle a bit more deliberately over the curve of his leg, casually proprietary. after a pause, she says seemingly unprompted: ]

There's a literary award named after you, you know.