[080-- Video/Action]

[bakaitoukid]

Ooooi.

[It's a Kaito! Messy-haired and a bit smudged from the INTENSE GAME OF PAINTBALL he just finished with. He looks both pleased and annoyed, and there's a pink Cleffa ball underneath his arm.]

If any of you see Ahoko, tell her she needs to keep track of her Pokemon better. [gesturing to the Cleffa] Moonlight followed me all the way to

Comments

[action]

[darkenedgales]

[Crow doesn't think it's something that can be discussed via network, but there's something he still has to do before he can actually face Kaito, so he doesn't comment on this video until a few hours later, when he comes up to his friend with a small bag in his hand.]

Here.

[Throwing him the said bag.]

[action]

[bakaitoukid]

[Kaito is just as anxious as he was when he first made the video, though that isn't readily obvious when Crow approaches. Kaito blinks and catches said bag, expression confused]

-- what's this?

[action]

[darkenedgales]

[He locks his hands behind his head, studying his friend carefully, and simply nods for him to open it and see for himself.

Inside, Kaito will find some (still hot) chocolate cookies, which he might recognize, since they were baked following Aoko's recipe.]

I got the recipe from her. [Pretty sure he doesn't need to specify who "she" is.] Figured I might as well make use of it.

[There's a long and slightly awkward pause before he continues.]

... You okay?

[He probably knows what the answer to that is (and what answer he'll actually hear), but what the heck, he can ask anyway.]

[action]

[bakaitoukid]

[He gives Crow a somewhat suspicious look before he begins unwrapping the package. Recognition is immediately evident in his expression once he does so, but it quickly shifts into complete blank neutrality after a short split-second.

He doesn't respond right away, gaze affixed on the warm sweets in his hand. But once the moment passes, he reaches out to scoop a cookie up and tuck it between his teeth, before he offers one to the wibbling Cleffa on his shoulder]

'M fine.

[Kaito wraps the cookies up again and pockets them, and Crow may notice that he's doing his best to keep from looking over at his friend, however empty his expression is]

[action]

[darkenedgales]

[Crow can't blame him for trying to avoid making eye contact, and he's far from forcing him to it. He knows -- to some extent, at least -- how he must be feeling now, so he'll respect whatever way Kaito chooses to cope with it (as long as it doesn't make him want to smack him across the head again, but so far, so good).

... He kind of wishes he could do more for him than bake cookies, though. Normally, if it was his world, he's probably challenge him to a duel, but even Crow is aware that's not how things always work.]

Wanna talk?

[He's here to comfort him, yes, but he's not the kind who likes being melodramatic, so after a brief pause, he adds one more thing:]

--Or if you'd rather be alone now, feel free to tell me to scram, though I can't guarantee I'll do that.

[Because what is leaving friends in need? Concept foreign to Crow.]

[action]

[bakaitoukid]

[A shrug, and Kaito spins on his heel, turning his back to Crow as he does so]

Nothing to talk about.

[He doesn't answer the second question as he starts trekking forward; Crow is probably well aware that he doesn't want to be around anyone right now. But knowing Crow... even if Kaito told him to scram, he'd follow anyway]

[action]

[darkenedgales]

[He lets out a small sigh, accompanied by an eye roll. Should have figured he'd say that.]

If that's what you look like when you're 'fine', then I really don't wanna see you on your bad day.

[Not... meant to be sarcastic at all. More like pointing out he's obviously not okay, no matter how much he denies it and tries to convince himself otherwise.

... And, of course, he's following him. Crow's not the easiest person to get rid of, after all.]

[action]

[bakaitoukid]

[Kaito gives another shrug and just keeps on walking, toward the outskirts of the city in silence]

[action]

[darkenedgales]

[Crow frowns, somewhat annoyed with that reaction. He knows that's because Kaito's sad, but he doesn't quite get why he's trying so hard to conceal that.]

Oi, Kaito! [He runs to catch up with him and grabs his shoulder (one without Cleffa, of course).]

How long are you gonna pretend everything's okay?

[action]

[bakaitoukid]

[... he jerks his shoulder away, nearly sending the Cleffa flying (she clings on tightly, though)]

I told you, I'm fine. Tch. I hate this place.

[and he continues walking]

[action]

[darkenedgales]

[... That was kinda unusual, but even so, somewhat... predictable? In any case, it causes Crow to huff and keep on following him a few steps behind.]

You really want me to believe that crap? You're fine and pigs are flying.

[action]

[bakaitoukid]

Careful, Crow. You say that, and there's probably some undiscovered flying pig Pokemon out there.

[h-ha ha...]

[action]

[darkenedgales]

[Crow deadpans. Partially because Aoko had once told him pretty much the same thing, although it's probably not the right time to mention that.

He stops and lets out another (this time somewhat resigned) sigh.]

Look, I'm not forcing you to talk with me 'bout it. [Yeah sure WHAT ELSE HAVE YOU BEEN DOING FOR THE PAST TEN MINUTES--] Hell, I'm not telling you to talk to anyone if you really don't wanna.

But I told you once not to pretend everything's fine when it's not. [Obviously referring to when Kay and Johan disappeared.]

... Try being honest with yourself, 'kay?

[That being said, he turns in the opposite direction.]

I'll be in the inn if ya need me.

[And he walks away.]

[action]

[bakaitoukid]

. . .

[f-ffffft]

I really hate this place sometimes.