[ video ]

[shockinglycool]

[ Someone has never had one of his loved ones die in front of him before. Or, hell, while he's in Discedo. Weird luck this kid has, but it leaves him hit harder now that he has. The video swings with his arm as he holds the communicator in one hand; he's walking fast and the feed shows Marshall's hallways. Pause. ]

...How'd I get here?

[ He

Comments

[prodigal_axe]

...

Where the hell are you right now?

[If Sorata gets eaten by monsters too, Shinji is gonna kick his ass when he comes back.]

[shockinglycool]

...

Outside. Going to the high school. Not sure how I ended up at Marshall. [ And he laughs, forced. ]

[prodigal_axe]

Tch. Just stay there for a couple minutes.

[And he's on his way over there, despite not wanting company. He can at least walk with him in case another monster shows up.]

[shockinglycool]

I'm fine.

[ But he stays put, except for pacing a bit. Antsy. ]

[prodigal_axe]

Bullshit. ... Uh huh.

[A few minutes later, Shinjiro strolls toward him with both hands jammed into his pockets. He's paler even than usual and the circles under his eyes are pronounced, almost like bruises beneath his bloodshot eyes.]

So... where are you going again? High School?

[shockinglycool]

Huh? I dunno, I... [ He forgets what he was doing the second he sees Shinjiro, really, the first person he knows since-eyes taking him in, noticing every detail, let me focus on you-but he doesn't think that in a way he understands. ]

You don't look good.

[prodigal_axe]

Huh...? [Shinjiro just stares from his bloodshot eyes, barely able to follow the comment. Didn't look good? Oh... He shrugs almost violently and waves his bad hand in dismissal.]

Who gives a shit. That's not important, so don't worry about it.

[shockinglycool]

Of course it's important. [ With something like desperation. Looking up at Shinjiro directly, now, his own eyes similar. ]

[prodigal_axe]

No, it's not.

[An edge of anger in his voice that time... but he starts walking, and gestures Sorata to follow.]

[shockinglycool]

It is. [ Almost desperately. And he pauses and follows, walking uneven due to exhaustion. ]

[prodigal_axe]

... [He slows his pace a little when he notices that uneven walking.]

Tch. You gonna work all day like that?

[shockinglycool]

Like what? Sure. [ Almost one sentence. ]

[prodigal_axe]

... When I leave you at the High School, stay there until I come back to get you. Guess I'll go work at the 'Lights today. Since it's right there.

[And y'know. Close enough to come help if you wander into monsters.]

[shockinglycool]

[ ...

... ] Don't need you taking care of me. [ Laughs softly. ] I'm the one who's supposed to be watching over you.

[prodigal_axe]

Shut up and deal with it. You're ... you can't walk around in a daze in this city.

[The worry is eclipsing the annoyance in his tone.]

[shockinglycool]

I'm fine. [ Waving his hand. His gestures are all the same as ever, just more abrupt. ]