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[Joshua snaps out of his droning and collapses onto the floor of his house, letting out a scream of shock and pain.  He tilts his head back and pants raggedly as his vision whites out, unable to think through the incredible amount of agony coursing through his body.  After several minutes pass, he manages to gather himself back together enough to

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[rulethegame]

[. . . and the day just got worse. Not that Joshua isn't happy to see Sanae, but he'd been hoping that Sanae wouldn't find out about this until after he's had a chance to deal with the pain and regain some of his dignity. Or until after his legs had healed. Or ever, really. He's not exactly in the mood to hear Sanae say 'I told you so' - not that he would have done anything different even if he did know what was coming

. . . maybe he can somehow pass his injuries off as being less severe than they really are. He manages to dredge up a smile from god knows where.]

If you keep staring, you're going to give me a complex~.

[Yeah, it's not really working.]

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[Yeah, he's expecting it - grateful for it, even. Amusement, he can handle, even mockery, but not pity. He's old enough and experienced enough to accept the consequences of his actions. He returns Sanae's raised eyebrow with a wry tone of his own.]

I don't see why. They were far more appealing than the rags we're being forced to wear now. [He sniffs.] They could have at least let me keep the clothes.

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It's the most pressing matter on my mind, yes.

[It'd rather morbid, but joking's the only way Joshua knows how to salvage his pride, seeing how he can't even move right now. If he's ever serious, he's probably a minute away from dying.]

Unless you're hiding a recovery pin under there, I doubt you'll be able to do much other than a cast or a splint.

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[Joshua's just going to brace himself on his arms and try to get himself off the floor and onto the couch. He fails to move even an inch, dropping back to the ground with a hiss of pain. He hates this, hates being confined to a human body, hates being powerless, hates being ordinary. He quickly tries to wipe his face of any irritation when Sanae comes back, though - no need to let anyone else know just how affected he is by this.]

. . . not the greatest time to try taking advantage of me, Sanae.

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[Oh, Joshua knows that Sanae can see right through him, and it's not making him any happier. It just makes him even more stubborn to prove that he's still the Composer, goddammit, no matter what world he's in. He eyes the vodka, then deliberately looks away.]

I don't need it, thanks. I'd like to keep my mind the way it is.

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In that case, I'll go with nothing. It doesn't hurt that badly. [And that's a blatant lie, but he's not getting drunk, okay, not when control over his mind is all he has left.] And no, unless you count the confiscation of my clothes.

[He glances at Sanae, then away.]

. . . that depends on whether you're asking how long I've been here, or how long I remember being here. [And that's way more than he wants to admit already.]

[rulethegame]

[Joshua shrugs.]

I can handle it. Besides, aren't you the one always telling people to try new experiences? It'd be a shame if I can't remember this one, not after all the work I put into getting here.

[rulethegame]

[And that look, plus that last sentence, gets Joshua to waver a little when nothing else would. Because he does trust Sanae - he trusts the man to a degree that he probably shouldn't, and he has no doubt that Sanae just wants what's best for him. But he doesn't trust himself. And he's still thrown enough by being droned that he's not willing to relinquish full control over his mind yet, not when he just got it back. He won't admit it, but he's honestly a little terrified of anything like that happening again - physical injuries, he can deal with, but having his head messed with? Even if he's the one doing it to himself, he still can't stand the idea. So he shakes his head.]

I told you, I'm fine. Unless there's another reason you want me drunk, hee hee~.