64th Journey [Voice//Action Post for those in the Square]
Woah, woah… I didn’t expect my almost-two-day absence to be noticed that much. It’s very weird in a good way flattering that I have friends that missed me here. You don’t know how much that means to me. Because the past two times I went and returned were…forgettable. This is it, huh? This is how you become a good person
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It was odd to not entirely want to go back 'home', especially after he had just found a home for the first time in well over a decade.
He caught sight of Youko from a fair distance away and just watched her reactions to the fountain, not wanting to interfere in her business. At least until she went down on her knees. At that point he moved up to her, remaining a few feet away, hands tucked away in the sleeves of his kimono and spoke quietly.]
Youko-san... Daijoubu de gozaru ka?
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I slipped.
[Worst lie ever. But she shrugged off.]
Hi... uh, out so late?
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He gave her a soft smile.]
Aa, it tends to be as such near the fountain, doesn't it?
[He could barely remember it, but he knew that was where they had physically met in person--during that curse that had temporarily broken him.]
He was on his way home from the shop. This unworthy one works at Ukitake-dono's tea shop.
[Alright. Technically he was now the owner... or co-owner on some level of said tea shop. Ukitake had given him the deed for a second wedding gift in the event that he ever left the City.
The thought warmed him for a brief moment... before it turned a little cold...]
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I'm the Glory-King. My life doesn't affect only me.
That was enough reminder to fight any lingering longing for Japan. For now. To be honest, Youko didn't really enjoy her life there, but there was the What If that floored her about remaking her mistakes.]
Yeah. But it was just a small fall. I could stand up after without any bruise.
[She gave a pause.]
Some people have it worst in this slippery ground.
[Youko tilted her head.]
Huh? You guys close so late?
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He nodded to the first comments...
The sweat-dropped a little on the last.]
No, this unworthy one was just avoiding going home working on inventory.
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[She studied Kenshin while he answered.]
What's wrong? Is it Kenji again?
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[He gave her a sad smile.]
Not really. He doesn't really know how to explain it. And isn't sure he should.
[Speaking things out loud... seemed to... make them seem too real at times...]
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[She sighed.]
But whatever it is, I think you shouldn't run away from what's wrong. That won't make it go away.
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If he knew what was wrong, he would fix it. For now... he is trying to avoid making it worse.
[Lets out a slow sigh.]
Though he doubts it will make a difference either way.
[Looks off to the side, one hand raising to rub at the back of his neck.]
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[She follows his look, trying to catch his gaze. Her grip on the sword tightens.]
Just pretending nothing happens? That is what deepens the trouble in first place. It gets worse and worse until you got to face it. First step to solve it is to admit there is a problem.
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Kaoru-dono... hasn't seemed like herself to him... for a very long time...
[His shoulders slump just a little more than usual.]
Actually... since she returned without memories of the City... He tried to tell himself that 'Kaoru-dono is Kaoru-dono'... But...
[He glanced away again.]
There have been... a lot of times over the last few months...
[His jaw tensed.]
She... has her face... her memories from our world... but she... isn't the woman he originally married... And he doesn't... know how to deal with that... He doesn't know if... the City did something to her when it drew her in this last time...
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Maybe something went different. The City... our experiences in here, that changes us.
[She placed a hand over his shoulder, to comfort.]
You need to speak with her. Look, you're obviously avoiding her, and she'll realize this. Both of you are getting hurt in the process.
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[Maybe... but he didn't think so... She had been... different from the start... hadn't she? Before the City really had a chance to do anything...]
[Brows draw down, walls that... he actually hadn't been using in a long while in the City (at least not in an un-cursed state) seeming to go up.]
And what is he supposed to tell her? How does a person even begin that conversation?
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[She continued, not interrupting the point she was trying to make.]
By being honest with the flavor of your choice: brutal or diplomatic or something in between. Pretending will only be fooling yourself, and avoiding this would make you a liar and a coward. I know. I did about the same with my family.
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[He realized quite plainly that she was right.]
[But he had a very distinct problem with letting things go...]
He has... been hoping... that she would become herself again... given enough time...
[He made a small 'keh' sound in the back of his throat.]
Just over a year ago he was warring with himself to allow himself to love her... and now...
[He glanced up at the sky, letting his thoughts mull.]
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[She continued in a softer tone.]
A life of lies, a relationship based in pretending to have some lukewarm feeling while avoiding that person, just to put up a happy front to fool people around you and yourselves. Is that happiness?
[She thought of Kenji briefly.]
Maybe your son gets it. He looked as if he ran away, but he didn't, he confronted the problem since the beginning and refused to keep pretending something that isn't there.
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