(Untitled)

[loveyourenemy]

WHO: Jonah Matsuka (coffeematsuka) and Soldier Blue (soldieringblue)
WHERE: Liberty Island!
WHEN: Late Tuesday afternoon ish.
SUMMARY: Matsuka is on the loose again, and he's overdue for a Blue checkup. Mu sparkles ensue, as always.
FORMAT: Whatever.

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[soldieringblue]

Matsuka was not the sole Mu taking stock of the massive monument that day. Though it was agreed between the Soldiers that they would together explore as much of the planet as they could, as the both of them prepared themselves mentally and physically for such a thing, Blue took to absorbing much of the City as he hadn't seen before. This end was new to him, even after so much time. Not even Ataraxia boasted such scale as far as cities went--nor the grand artistry that towered over him.

Awe and respect flooded around him as he navigated the sea of bodies and active minds, louder than those on the streets (tourists were much more excitable about their surroundings, of course), cloaking the presence of the subtler, quieter Mu for quite a time. Blue recognized that familiar aura soon enough, however, and all else was cast aside in an instant.

Blue saw him in his mind before his footsteps guided him to the place where Matsuka was resting. He stopped at a safe distance, taking advantage of the Mu's distraction to scan the crowd for telltale signs of Keith Anyan. When none were had, he approached; a physical meeting not defined by violence.

"Jonah."

[loveyourenemy]

An involuntary smile spread over Matsuka's face as he looked up towards Blue's approach. For all the difficulties that he knew his problematic loyalties caused, he still welcomed the reassuring feel of Blue's mind - especially now, when he still felt a little bit starved for company even after a full day back at work.

"Soldier Blue," he said, and began to get to his feet without really thinking about it. "It's good to see again. How are you?"

[soldieringblue]

Relief took the forefront of Blue's public mind, stifling and shutting out the guilt that had begun to well up the moment he'd felt Matsuka near. What kind of Soldier doesn't keep his people close? It bothered him still, despite it being Matsuka's choice. Blue would've been no better than the System had he forced him away from Keith's side, even if it was for his own good.

There was a gentle nudge from his mind, searching for sign of harm or danger; the exterior was never so telling with damage. He lifted a hand, faintly smiling at the Mu's rising, but shaking his head against it. There was no need.

"It's good to see you, as well," he replied, shifting into motion and closing the distance between them. He took a seat at Matuska's side, turning himself to face the Mu, offering his full attention--and concern. His eyebrows furrowed faintly as he inquired. "Are you safe and well?"

[loveyourenemy]

"I'm fine." Matsuka told himself that it wasn't a lie. The past week had been difficult, And the days before that confusing to say the least... but that was dealt with now, and if he still felt unsettled, it wasn't anything worth burdening someone else with.

Not that he could hide it from another Mu.

"Things have been a little... awkward, lately, but it's all right. This place is always a little bit strange, after all."

[soldieringblue]

In ways, things were simpler before the City. The SD System was the enemy, unsympathetically eradicating the Mu where they were found. Shangri-La was the haven, the only safe place for Blue to take those hidden children away before detection. Hiding was miserable, but it was necessary. There were no middle grounds or in-betweens to cause conflict of interest. Not like here.

Soldier Blue understood Matsuka's intentions, in ways. Even so, as someone stronger, it was hard for him to accept the role that he had taken upon himself, despite the changes. He could be free here. Blue wanted him to be, as...there was little chance any other Mu would be able to experience such a thing in the scale the world around them provided.

His eyes gave it away, that please, come with us wish that was becoming instinctive around Matsuka. "Jomy and I...we're here. We will help you if you only ask, Jonah." Please, come with us. "For whatever problem it is. You need only ask."

[loveyourenemy]

Matsuka smiled, looking down at his hands. "I know," he answered softly. "And I'm very grateful to both of you." He felt conscious again of the key that Bakura had given him, tucked away in his pocket, the symbol of a way out.

In truth he'd probably known all along that the option to leave was there... much harder in their own world than in this one, but not impossible. Still, it was only recently that the knowledge had truly crystallized in his mind, changed from an abstract idea into something tangible thanks to Blue and Jomy and Bakura's key.

"I haven't given up yet," he said, looking up to meet Blue's eyes again. The trace of sorrow that he'd seen on Keith's face was still strong in his memory. "I think... something is changing."

[soldieringblue]

Change was to be expected. No matter how devoted Keith may be to the System, it wasn't here, and he was human. Humans are agents of change in themselves and of their environments. Blue believed in that change, though for better or ill remained to be seen. If things turned for the worse, Matsuka could be caught in a crossfire of sorts...Was it safe enough for Blue and Jomy to depart, then, with that known?

He saw the conviction behind that guess--the hope. Hope was only so much, though. "Something so strongly ingrained will not change so easily," he warned, concerned. "There will be struggle and danger. For him, for you. Please don't forget to care for yourself; there is no way to tend to anyone else if you cannot hold your own."

[loveyourenemy]

Matsuka's head bowed at Blue's words, a troubled look coming over his face as uncertainty rose up within him. He couldn't deny the truth of everything that Blue said - and even if he could have, he had his own doubts as well. He'd begun to recognize the leverage that he had in his dealings with Keith... but leverage wasn't what he'd wanted, and in his weakest moments he wondered if this change could really be one for the better in the end.

"Thank you," he said softly. "I really am grateful for your concern. You must have plenty of your own things to deal with, without having to worry about me... But I'm staying because I choose to. If I have to, I can leave. I think Keith knows it now, too."

[soldieringblue]

Blue watched Matsuka's face for a moment longer before offering a resigned bow of the head. "I understand." When he looked up, it wasn't the doubt and concern that registered from his expression. It was there, certainly, but buried under an earnest and supportive look. "I will honor your choice; we had so few of our own before now." His head turned, craning upward to the monument looming above. "And many insist that choice is what this place stands for."

[loveyourenemy]

"Thank you," Matsuka murmured again. Briefly he followed Blue's gaze, tipping his head back to look up at the statue of Lady Liberty - then he turned his attention back to Blue, wide-eyed and suddenly earnest. "Is there anything that I can do to help you?" he asked. "I might not be able to do much, but - you've shown me so much concern, and I haven't done anything for you."

[soldieringblue]

The eagerness was met with a warmer smile. "You don't have to do anything for me, Jonah. I'm Soldier. My life is for you and the Mu to use as needed. All you must do is use it, and that...would be doing something for me." For them. Even long before the end of the hiding in Ataraxia, Blue had resigned himself to a life not lived for himself, but for the sake of the Mu and their causes. Their dreams were his. Matsuka's needs were his.

There was a slight pause, but Blue lifted a hand and gently placed it on Matsuka's shoulder, assuring. "Making those choices of yours freely is enough for me."

[loveyourenemy]

Matsuka smiled back, though Blue's assurances had not entirely put him at ease. "Even so," he said, hesitantly, "that doesn't mean that you shouldn't be supported, too. Nobody should have to do everything alone." Inevitably he thought again of Keith - so determined to be alone. It wasn't really the same thing, but still... "You and Bakura and Jomy are all giving me support, and I - I only make you worry."

It was the consequence of the choice he'd made, Matsuka knew, and he couldn't make any other right now, but it didn't stop him from feeling guilty.

[soldieringblue]

Even if Blue had wished to be alone in this world, he would've had a hard time doing so. He had a legacy that awaited him in some faraway future...that would find him in this time's past. A strange, backwards flowing series of events that gave select few the love of a Soldier that, as of now, never knew they even existed. Even when Jomy had vanished and the room gone silent, Blue was never truly alone.

"Your aid would never be turned away," Blue said kindly, lifting his hand away and back to his lap, "but would no doubt make your efforts with Keith Anyan more of a strain. We do not want to compromise your safety, even if it means keeping our distance. We will come if you call, but...do not feel obligated to do the same if it will hinder the things you want to come to pass.

"You have strength, Jonah. We need not worry too much, knowing that." The smile waned slightly. "It is only..." His words tapered for a moment as he tried to find the best way to put it. "We only want a better way. A safer way for this cause. One that does not compromise your safety--or anyone's."

[loveyourenemy]

"I'm not sure that's possible," Matsuka admitted a little wistfully. "It'd be nice, but... this is the way that things are. For the sake of what's important to me, I don't mind taking the risk..."

There had to be a way to reconcile these different parts of his life. The other Mu. His friends. Keith. His own safety was no consideration at all in the face of all this.

Matsuka fell quiet for a space, his expression growing serious as his thoughts slipped off along some tangent, eyes tracking to the statue again. "...Soldier Blue?" he said eventually, hesitant again. "May I ask you something?"

[soldieringblue]

Blue only nodded, well aware of what a long shot it was to find less treacherous roads to their goals. The things most worthwhile were the hardest to fight for, it seemed. Their wills intersected in those things, Matsuka's and Blue's--that hunger that seemed to continually cast aside personal safety, oftentimes knowingly.

Wandering eyes refocused back on Matsuka. There was no hesitation there. "Of course," he replied, inviting with a slight nod.

[loveyourenemy]

Matsuka faltered a little over his question, but only momentarily. It was something that had been on his mind for a while now, albeit on the periphery, only now beginning to find form.

"Is this Terra anything like what you were hoping for?"