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[luneminary]

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that week when sha-ming went missing

[memori3s]

[ There are plenty of places to grab a bite at the commercial district. That's what makes Minato's current mission all the more challenging. He can't ask Koromaru which restaurant would be the best to visit either, given that the dog's decided to scout around Aldrip one last time in search of Sha-Ming's scent.

He still doesn't have much of an appetite, but Akira told him to look for something to eat, and they'd promised to look out for each other, so...

There's a noodle shop nearby. That should suffice, Minato thinks to himself. It's not too far away. It's just around the corner. But instead of heading for it, his feet remain rooted in place at the sight of a familiar teen with bright blue eyes.

It's -- no, it couldn't be...

He's torn between calling out to the other, to ask if the other person there is real, or whether it's merely a figment of his imagination conjured by his lack of food and rest.

So he stays, heart racing rabbit-quick and eyes wide like a perplexed deer in headlights. ]

ryoji senses tingling

[luneminary]

[If one were to ask Ryoji if fate exists, his answer would be a resounding yes. There's no other apt explanation to how bonds can form over the most mundane of actions. Every interaction is meaningful because people are meant to have these connections, no matter fleeting they may be.

That's why, as he looks at the blue haired boy he sees faltering at the entrance, Ryoji knows that this too, is because of fate. There's no other explanation to this strange ache in his heart.]

[He decides to tug at the blue haired stranger's arm, greeting him like an old friend.] Sorry to kept you waiting! I'll make it up to you: this is my treat.

[His first thought is that man, he looks terrible. Clearly the look of someone who's been having a bad time. And maybe that means he has some things he still need to work on, but there's no way he would be able to keep standing on his own two feet at this rate. This calls for some company and a good bowl of ramen!

If someone's sad, you should do your best to make them happy, right? At least, that's what Ryoji thinks is the humane thing to do.]

minato's no good very bad week tbh

[memori3s]

[ That easy camaraderie pulling him along -- it's unmistakably Mochizuki Ryoji. But how? Why? And when? Perhaps it's for the best that Minato's too exhausted to scrutinize those thoughts with a proper fine tooth comb, merely allowing himself to be towed along by an old classmate.

And maybe it's for the best that his stomach's empty too, given the way it sinks as he stumbles along. ]

I wasn't --

[ Wasn't waiting for him, is what Minato wants to say. Why would he, when the last he'd seen Ryoji was supposed to be the final time? But as they wander into the noodle shop, Minato is forced to confront the fact that, actually, he is famished.

There's plenty of space at the bar. He glances at Ryoji, warily, before taking a seat on one of the stools. He'll play along for now, even if he does feel a bit like a cornered mouse. ]

it's about to get even worse

[luneminary]

- Waiting for me? That's fine!

[He takes it in stride, the way he knows exactly what this boy is about to say. No use thinking about something he can't explain!]

Care to stick around, anyway? Food is better with company, and you look like you could use a friend.

[There's still that deer in the headlights look, but Ryoji pushes through. It's better than leaving him alone with his thoughts. Before any objections can take place, Ryoji calls for the owner with his usual cheer.]

Master! Two specials, please!

[memori3s]

[ Somehow, he always knows exactly what Minato left unsaid. It twists his stomach into a knot and leaves his chest aching.

"Food is better with company," he says, and were Kotone here as well, Minato imagines she'd respond with an enthusiastic nod.

Minato keeps his hands folded in his lap. Thus far, everyone he'd run into outside of Fuuka were already acquainted with him. There's no telling where Ryoji arrived from, let alone, from what timeframe. It couldn't possibly be after that December, or even that January, not when he's here looking like a perfectly ordinary teen.

The nostalgia comes with its own dangers. He's well aware that others can be pulled into Aldrip from different times, but to see it displayed so starkly before him is jarring.

Even after the bowls of ramen are placed in front of them, Minato doesn't lift his chopsticks. Instead, he gazes down at the broth. It's impossible to tell how much and who Ryoji knows, given his amicable demeanor would likely remain unchanged no matter who he spoke with. ]

...

[ He can't eat, and instead, there's a severe expression on Minato's face as he tries to wrap his head around seeing this particular face again. And of course, of course it would be now, a time when he's left coming to terms with how deeply he feels he feels a specific person's absence. ]

it's date time

[startraveler]

[Aether arrives at the meet-up spot and looks around for the moment, taking in the surroundings. He isn't really sure where this "date" is going to go, but he is planning to take it as a friendly hangout. He's good at those.

When Ryoji appears in his line of sight, Aether waves to him and smiles.]

I'm here, just like I promised.

date time!!!

[luneminary]

[Spotting Aether in the crowd is a pretty easy feat thanks to his eye-catching clothes - and would you look at that, they also happen to be scarf buddies! Ryoji returns his wave with a big and enthusiastic one of his own. His arm is outstretched as high as he can reach despite being the taller one of the two.]

Aether-san! It's nice to finally meet you in person!

[Rest assured, he already has the itinerary planned in advance. And fortunately for Aether, every activity he has in mine is entirely platonic! Ryoji is a sweetheart like that.]

We're at the town square, so it's easy to reach pretty much any part of the city from here. Do you want to check out the gardens or the shops first?

[startraveler]

[Aether could already tell that Ryoji is a friendly type, but typing is one thing and actual meeting a completely different. There's something very genuine about the other's enthusiasm and it makes Aether quite curious how this "date" will go.]

Hey, it's good to meet you as well, Ryoji.

[He gives a friendly smile.]

You said you wanted to show me the park, so let's start there.

[Lead the way! Aether will follow.]

[luneminary]

[Ryoji nods enthusiastically - he doesn't take the leadership role that often, but he is still capable of choosing a direction for everybody.]

Then follow me!

[With a cheerful skip and a hop, the duo will soon find themselves in the middle of one of the gardens. Practically every inch of the place is covered with flowers and vines, a mixture of carefully trimmed foliage and plants flourishing wildly. It's definitely a popular place as they come across another person or two on the way here.]

This is an excellent date spot for couples! [Ryoji's tour guide voice is punctuated with a wink.] But it's not bad to come here on your own, too. You can still find a peaceful spot despite the liveliness.

[startraveler]

[Aether follows, trying to stay close to Ryoji, watching him for a moment longer, before his gaze shifts to their surroundings. The gardens are indeed charming, the vibrant colours of flowers standing out amid the green, creating lovely scenery.

The small wink Aether receives does bring some colour to his face, but he tries playing it off as if nothing happened. It's not the first (nor the last, most likely) time he's getting a wink from someone, anyway! No big deal!]

It looks very beautiful. I understand why it's such a popular spot. Is this also your favourite place?

during carnival time!! text

[coolerjunpei]

hey

you ever been trick or treating?

[The Junpei Tenmyouji method of acknowledging any weird shit that may have happened before: Don't.]

texts back!

[luneminary]

[Silent agreement here. Ryoji doesn't want to talk about it in the first place, as much as he feels better nowadays.]

Not at all! (ノωヽ)

Would you like to? ....Aren't we a little too old to go trick or treating?

[coolerjunpei]

what are you, 65? we're all in a computer anyway, who cares if we're not little kids anymore.

what's your halloween costume? don't pretend you don't have one.

[luneminary]

Oh, true! And I always wanted to try cosplay! (・∀・)

....also i might have a vampire costume already

video; un: misscoordinator

[coordinatroll]

[ The video opens to Mitama, though just like in her recent post, she's wearing her "Santa disguise". She's here on an important business, after all. ]

Ho, ho, ho! Thank you for joining our Secret Santa event~ It's time to find out what ─ or rather who ─ your assignment as Santa's Little Helper for this year is! Drumroll, please...

[ She makes a pause for a dramatic effect, her hand slipping into a Santa hat she's holding and pulling out a small piece of paper with a name on it. ]

It's none other than... Visas Marr, the mysterious lady of stars!

Remember, you should present your assignee with a gift of your choice until December 25th! Good luck, and remember: your main task is to spread joy, happiness and the spirit of Christmas cheer!

Miss Santa Coordinator, out!

SENTENCING

[expi]

[You wake up in a courtroom. You’re not really sure how you got here, just that you’re here. There’s Jerry, sitting at the judges box. For some he might be new, and others he might be familiar or semi-familiar. He scrutinizes you, and then motions to the jury box. There’s a plaque that’s sitting on the outside that says “Council”, but there’s no one sitting there. Everything looks clean and maintained, but there’s no one in the courtroom but you and Jerry.

Weird.]

You are charged with helplessness.

[There’s something about his expression that makes you think that he might’ve already made up his mind…]

The Council has found you Guilty of this. In order to repent and further your rehabilitation, you have been charged to exert your free will and move on from your helplessness. If there is no action taken, there will be consequences.

[You wake up back in your bed. You remember everything – Jerry, the jury box, the words he spoke to you. Maybe you remember the words he spoke more vividly than anything else.

However you decide to proceed… there will be consequences.]

[ooc: you have until January 10th to submit your Sentencing HERE Even if your character doesn’t proceed with the Sentencing, you must comment on the NPC inbox for your penalty.

Also, there are effects for ignoring this Sentencing. The longer Ryoji takes to complete his Sentencing, the more he will start to disappear from the lives of his close friends. They may not remember him, be able to speak to him, see him, etc. However you’d like to play that out. If you have any questions about Sentencing, please direct it to the Mod Contact post.]

i'm sorry this is late i've been sick -- 12/25

[bulleting]

[All of Caitlyn's plotting and planning kind of went out the window when she got suddenly stolen away to go home for a week, so forgive her if it seems a little rushed, or even last minute.

On the 25th, there's a knock at Ryoji's door. He'll open it to find a basket of goodies. Some are homemade - cookies, some chocolate chip, others sugar with icing (please don't judge her terrible icing skills). The rest are various things useful for this time of the year - a new pair of gloves, with matching earmuffs, chapstick, a pocket pouch of tissues, hand sanitizer, a few packs of tea from Claude's Apothecary, and the like.

No name is left, just a note card that says "Happy Holidays" a very elegant handwriting.]

text; un: Sugarlips

[southernchere]

Hey there, Ryoji. You don't know me, but my name is Rogue and I've heard and read what happened last month with ya.

I know all about not being able to control your powers cuz I used to have a tussle with mine, and I'm a teacher at the school for gifted youngsters. So I just wanted to reach out and see how ya farin.

text | un:ryojikun

[luneminary]

Oh. Hello Rogue-san! I think I might heard about that school before. Is it the same place that Scott talks about?

As for my powers...I think they have been fine. I haven't really been using them though ever since the incident a while ago. I guess I'm scared I would lose control again, even though there's no guarantee that I would.

[southernchere]

One and the same, Sugar.

That's understandable. I'm just hopin you ain't goin on your days feelin awful still. Sometimes.... powers have a mind of its own, not many can wrap their minds about it being that way, but it's the truth.

But don't ever feel ya gotta use them. If ya feel comfortable not doin it, then don't. Just don't be ashamed of them, neither. They are a part of who we are.

[luneminary]

It's been better. At least I was myself when it all happened, instead of being compelled by some other force to kill my friends. That was way worse.

How does one do it though? Not being ashamed of who you are, I mean. My true nature is someone who is naturally feared and reviled.

backdated to when Aether finally remembers Ryoji

[startraveler]

[The fact that he's forgotten all about Ryoji still weights on Aether, but he tries to not think about it and focus on remembering everything about his friend once more. They go on dates, have fun, visit many places together and Aether commits every memory to his heart, wishing they would stay there, never forgotten again.

Today is yet another promised date, but the traveler finds himself a bit shaken as he meets up with Ryoji. When he sees his friend he can't help himself. He runs up to him and wraps his arms around the other boy, pressing him close to himself.

It's like a reunion with an old companion, one he hasn't seen for a long time.]

I... finally remember everything. [He says as emotions take over and he clings to Ryoji, burying his head into the other's shoulder.

He doesn't want to forget him ever again.]

[luneminary]

[Today starts like any other. Another day, another promised date with Aether. They have all been fun in their own ways, especially with how different their activities are everytime. It makes Ryoji even forget that Aether has no memory of him at all — at least for a little while. But everytime the day ends and his memory has yet to return the reminder is a shallow thorn at his side. It leaves the young man melancholic, albeit undeterred. There is always another day after all!

This time though, it’s different. He waves to Aether in the distance as usual, but immediately notices something off with the blonde. Ryoji doesn’t get to ask what’s wrong before he’s suddenly tackled into a fairly tight hug.

Ah. Tears well up within his eyes. The promised day has finally come. Ryoji can’t help but choke on his words as he says:]

Welcome back, Aether-san.

[startraveler]

[He holds on tight, loosening his embrace just a little to make it close but comfortable to his companion. Warm. It's very warm, like coming back from a long, tiresome journey.]

I'm back.

[His voice is almost a whisper as he runs his hands in slow circles against Ryoji's back. He can hear the other's choked words, he can tell there are tears involved. Eventually, Aether pulls back a little more to see his companion's face and touch his cheek gently to wipe away any potential tears that rolled down.]

I'm sorry you had to wait for so long.

[His heart is swollen with affection and Aether soon realizes that his own eyes feel wet as he leans forward, pressing his forehead to Ryoji's.

He still can't believe he forgot about him. How could he, when Ryoji is so dear to him, so important? After all, the stars and the moon belong to the same night sky.]

[luneminary]

[The night has always been long and gloomy, especially for the moon to be surrounded constantly in such darkness. But the moon has never been alone, has it? Not really. Not when there are stars to accompany it.]

It’s alright. It was worth all the wait!

[After all, the joy and happiness of this reunion blooms inexplicably within Ryoji’s chest. He would not trade this feeling for the world.]

Sorry for crying — I’m happy to see your memories return. Really!

[He closes his eyes after his tears have been wiped away, so he can focus on the warmth and touch that comes from Aether’s forehead.]