[Action] 1/2eyesofremorseNovember 4 2011, 16:04:11 UTC
[You know, suddenly hearing something from one of the rooms in your apartment is pretty alarming. Especially when you're supposed to be the only one present and it's in the middle of the night - and especially when you're still a little wary in general after the last experiment.
Needless to say, when Joshua finds himself in that very situation, caution takes priority for the time being. Hence why, before doing anything, he quickly retrieves his orbment and blades, then moves toward the bathroom to investigate the source of the noise, trying to stay out of sight as he does.
[Action] 2/2eyesofremorseNovember 4 2011, 16:12:38 UTC
[-Wait a damn minute. There's someone lying in his bathtub. Someone who appears to be unconscious and who looks way too familiar. Switching the lights on doesn't make much of a difference, either; if anything, it just serves to erase what little doubt Joshua may have had regarding this person's identity.
That's...] L-- [Wait, no. That's not the name he said he should use. Let's try that again.]
...Leonhardt? [Once again, he stumbles over the name - saying it just feels incredibly awkward for him. And he's not sure if he'll even get any sort of response, given that he seems to be unconscious, but... well, it's still worth a try, isn't it?]
[Well, Joshua can at least be glad to see Leonhardt is showing some signs of waking up, but ow, that light kind of hurts at the moment, so he won't be quite seeing Joshua quite yet.
But at least he can hear him, and well he's still not in any shape to make sense of this, but at least he can answer.]
...Are you trying to act all grown up, Joshua?
[At first his voice is a bit quiet and hoarse sounding, but more from lack of use and just waking up, by the end of that it sounds more normal. He's going to try and sit up so he can at least get a good look at Joshua and be sure the boy is all right since he's thinking he's speaking with a far younger Joshua.
But the oddest part is likely the fact that he's actually smiling]
[Oh, it's odd, all right. The way he's addressing him, the smile, that question... it's all completely off compared to how Leonhardt would normally act these days.]
...Huh? [And right now, all of that is enough to leave Joshua at a complete loss for what to even say. This feels almost like...
...
The Malnosso wouldn't do something like that, would they...?
...then again, they made it seem as if the moon would crash into the village. Somehow, he really wouldn't rule out them making someone act like they did ten years ago at this point.]
[And at that point he's sitting up and opens his eyes to get a good look at Joshua and sees someone around his own age, or what his current age is. The smile is sadly replaced by a look of confusion.]
I must not be awake yet. There's no way Joshua could be around my age. It has to be some dream. [This is more spoken to himself, but Joshua should have no problem hearing it.]
You're not dreaming. I'm sixteen. [Which... should not be around Leonhardt's age under normal circumstances, seeing as he's significantly younger. That could at least be explained by the Malnosso altering Leonhardt age, but... then why would he think that Joshua's age is wrong?
...Well, there's one option, but... he'd really prefer it if that wasn't the correct one. Although it's looking awfully likely...]
[Sadly, he's still not convinced. He knows Joshua was still six when he last saw the boy. Of course he doesn't realize his memory was altered a bit to ensure this all worked.]
I know they say children grow up fast, but in...how long has it been since they took me?
It's been about ten days. [Well, a bit less, since it's still nighttime, but... still. And no, he's not going to bring the experiment Leonhardt missed up. That can go unmentioned for the time being.]
[No, it isn't. And Leonhardt himself is not in any state to try and figure this out since his brain is still mostly fuzzy still. Probably is going to take at least a night's rest before he's in good shape again, though who knows how long before the main effect wears off.
He'll go ahead and try to stand, because well, remaining here isn't the best of ideas. However, he's rather shaky still and is likely going to need some assistance there.] I'm just glad you're all right. I was worried about you being alone here.
[And another smile from someone who hadn't smiled in a long time. Though one would have to wonder if this really is a good thing or not.]
... [That statement goes unanswered. Joshua honestly isn't sure how to respond this time. After all, under normal circumstances, they're still enemies, if ones that called a temporary truce... and even if the whole "being enemies" business has been bothering the boy a lot since his memories returned. Suddenly going from that to Leonhardt behaving like he did ten years ago... while it's not a change he'll complain about, it's still more than just a little unsettling.
So, rather than that, he'll focus on something else. With how unsteady Leonhardt is, letting him move around on his own right now probably isn't the best of ideas - which is why, rather than say something in response, Joshua steps closer, offering a hand to him. He can at least help him get out of that bathtub, if nothing else.]
You should probably rest for a while. [Just to be safe. Considering he just got back, and it's awfully late... getting some sleep probably couldn't hurt.]
[Leonhardt gladly takes the assistance because he knows he needs it. He knows rest is needed, but would prefer something a bit more comfortable obviously. Won't do him much good to end up all sore also, he's already feeling some of the effects of having been unconscious in a bathtub for a bit. They definitely were not intended for sleeping.
And once he does get out of the bathtub, he's going to try and hug Joshua. Really, he did miss his little brother a lot. And yes, Joshua is still little even if they both are around the same age now.]
You can fuss over me like Karin would for one day. But I think something to eat would be more needed right now.
[Under different circumstances, that last statement would likely have yielded an affirmative nod and an offer to make something simple from Joshua.
...But of course, the circumstances right now aren't like that. At the moment, there are two factors that cause his reaction to divert pretty significantly from the one noted above: the earlier comment briefly mentioning Karin, and that attempt to hug the boy... which, given that he was not expecting that at all, will actually succeed.
The result? There's no verbal response from him whatsoever. Not to either of the statements, nor to the hug. In fact, he only really seems to react to the hug, which earns Leonhardt a startled gasp - for a moment, he even tenses up a little, although that doesn't last too long, at least.
Congratulations, Leonhardt, you just caught him completely off-guard with that.]
[It's good for Joshua that the sudden tenseness can be explained away easily enough.] I guess you don't like hugs any more. It won't happen again, I promise you.
[Wh- ...Okay, that is not the conclusion Joshua was expecting to hear. Nor one he wanted to hear, for that matter.]
Th-that's not it. I just... didn't expect you to do that. [Then again, he also wasn't expecting Leonhardt to come back acting like he did ten years ago. Sure, it was definitely a possibility, but... not one that actually crossed his mind.]
[Well, it's actually normal enough for older boys to not like hugs. He'd be rather irate if anyone hugged him that wasn't Karin or Joshua.] Why wouldn't I?
[And excuse him while he clings a bit more, though more like he needs the help standing right now. Standing up definitely did not help the fact that he had already been feeling a bit weak and lightheaded.]
[And he'd mind if anyone did that who isn't either someone he considers family, or a good friend. Leonhardt technically fits those criteria, but... they weren't exactly on those terms when he was kidnapped.
But... he probably shouldn't bring that up. Not when Leonhardt's acting like this.]
...Nevermind. [This whole situation is so... awkward for him.]
You should probably sit down. [Heading for the living room might be a good idea with that in mind, considering there's a couch there and all. Standing definitely won't do any good if he's still this shaky, at least.]
Needless to say, when Joshua finds himself in that very situation, caution takes priority for the time being. Hence why, before doing anything, he quickly retrieves his orbment and blades, then moves toward the bathroom to investigate the source of the noise, trying to stay out of sight as he does.
... ]
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That's...] L-- [Wait, no. That's not the name he said he should use. Let's try that again.]
...Leonhardt? [Once again, he stumbles over the name - saying it just feels incredibly awkward for him. And he's not sure if he'll even get any sort of response, given that he seems to be unconscious, but... well, it's still worth a try, isn't it?]
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But at least he can hear him, and well he's still not in any shape to make sense of this, but at least he can answer.]
...Are you trying to act all grown up, Joshua?
[At first his voice is a bit quiet and hoarse sounding, but more from lack of use and just waking up, by the end of that it sounds more normal. He's going to try and sit up so he can at least get a good look at Joshua and be sure the boy is all right since he's thinking he's speaking with a far younger Joshua.
But the oddest part is likely the fact that he's actually smiling]
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...Huh? [And right now, all of that is enough to leave Joshua at a complete loss for what to even say. This feels almost like...
...
The Malnosso wouldn't do something like that, would they...?
...then again, they made it seem as if the moon would crash into the village. Somehow, he really wouldn't rule out them making someone act like they did ten years ago at this point.]
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[And at that point he's sitting up and opens his eyes to get a good look at Joshua and sees someone around his own age, or what his current age is. The smile is sadly replaced by a look of confusion.]
I must not be awake yet. There's no way Joshua could be around my age. It has to be some dream. [This is more spoken to himself, but Joshua should have no problem hearing it.]
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You're not dreaming. I'm sixteen. [Which... should not be around Leonhardt's age under normal circumstances, seeing as he's significantly younger. That could at least be explained by the Malnosso altering Leonhardt age, but... then why would he think that Joshua's age is wrong?
...Well, there's one option, but... he'd really prefer it if that wasn't the correct one. Although it's looking awfully likely...]
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I know they say children grow up fast, but in...how long has it been since they took me?
[No, really, it's making no sense at all.]
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It's been about ten days. [Well, a bit less, since it's still nighttime, but... still. And no, he's not going to bring the experiment Leonhardt missed up. That can go unmentioned for the time being.]
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He'll go ahead and try to stand, because well, remaining here isn't the best of ideas. However, he's rather shaky still and is likely going to need some assistance there.] I'm just glad you're all right. I was worried about you being alone here.
[And another smile from someone who hadn't smiled in a long time. Though one would have to wonder if this really is a good thing or not.]
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So, rather than that, he'll focus on something else. With how unsteady Leonhardt is, letting him move around on his own right now probably isn't the best of ideas - which is why, rather than say something in response, Joshua steps closer, offering a hand to him. He can at least help him get out of that bathtub, if nothing else.]
You should probably rest for a while. [Just to be safe. Considering he just got back, and it's awfully late... getting some sleep probably couldn't hurt.]
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And once he does get out of the bathtub, he's going to try and hug Joshua. Really, he did miss his little brother a lot. And yes, Joshua is still little even if they both are around the same age now.]
You can fuss over me like Karin would for one day. But I think something to eat would be more needed right now.
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...But of course, the circumstances right now aren't like that. At the moment, there are two factors that cause his reaction to divert pretty significantly from the one noted above: the earlier comment briefly mentioning Karin, and that attempt to hug the boy... which, given that he was not expecting that at all, will actually succeed.
The result? There's no verbal response from him whatsoever. Not to either of the statements, nor to the hug. In fact, he only really seems to react to the hug, which earns Leonhardt a startled gasp - for a moment, he even tenses up a little, although that doesn't last too long, at least.
Congratulations, Leonhardt, you just caught him completely off-guard with that.]
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Th-that's not it. I just... didn't expect you to do that. [Then again, he also wasn't expecting Leonhardt to come back acting like he did ten years ago. Sure, it was definitely a possibility, but... not one that actually crossed his mind.]
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[And excuse him while he clings a bit more, though more like he needs the help standing right now. Standing up definitely did not help the fact that he had already been feeling a bit weak and lightheaded.]
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But... he probably shouldn't bring that up. Not when Leonhardt's acting like this.]
...Nevermind. [This whole situation is so... awkward for him.]
You should probably sit down. [Heading for the living room might be a good idea with that in mind, considering there's a couch there and all. Standing definitely won't do any good if he's still this shaky, at least.]
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