video post † 002 † 03-03-10

[slantedcross]

[He's utterly exhausted, after Asuka nightmares, noctaere, warehouses and turning twenty-six. The strain shows around his eyes and in his voice. As a result, he's more caustic than not, and isn't thinking in terms of people's (mainly Sena's, in this case) feelings.]

If you're still alive, call me.

I've spoken to Iris, Ken, and Alice since that--

Comments

[insorrow]

[Have a Ken. Looking rather the worse for wear himself, but recovering infuriatingly fast because He's Ken and It's What He Does.]

I've seen Sena. Sena was dead tired but still standing last I saw of him. And a quiet guy out in the corridors, I don't think I caught his name. Other than that, your guess is as good as mine.

At least we're back. Better birthday present than Omi got.

[slantedcross]

Well, I'll keep you posted on who checks in with me.

Isn't it? We need to do something for him. He's eighteen; I'm twenty-six. One of those you celebrate, the other one you just ignore and hope it doesn't happen again.

[insorrow]

Well, it won't happen again, right? That's kinda the thing about birthdays. It's not like next year it's gonna get any better, though.

[... he said obviously.]

And yeah, we kinda do... dunno what, though. Right now letting him sleep in'd be a favorite, I guess.

[slantedcross]

When he checks in, I'll run it by him

...Yeah. Next year I'll be twenty-seven, Kenken. Once you're twenty-seven, you might as well be thirty.

[takatori_heir]

[ohai, guess who's not handling nightmares and... that very well...]

Y-youji-kun...? H-happy birthday...

[slantedcross]

Happy birthday to you, too.

[Youji is now wondering what Omi's nightmare was, since he's kind of mean that way.]

Do you need anything, Omi?

[takatori_heir]

[yeah, not gonna be happening, Youji]

I-I'm fine... I'm gonna go out for a walk later... get some fresh air...

[slantedcross]

That might be the best thing you can do. Still, I'm sorry your eighteenth was something like that.

[He's not going to say anything like "call if you need something" or "be careful," because Omi is smarter than he is, honestly.]

[HE WAS SO DEBATING NOT CALLING 'CAUSE HE'S BEING A SARCASTIC LITTLE SHIT THAT WAY]

[carrying_hope]

Happy birthday, by the way.

[If anyone appreciates the urge to be a sarcastic little shit, it is this gentleman RIGHT HERE.]

[slantedcross]

[Beeeeeat. Crickets chirp. Okay, not really, but-]

If you'd like to change that to "go to hell," you may.

[lulz. COME ON YOUJI YOU'RE AGING LIKE A FINE WINE.]

[carrying_hope]

Nah, I don't like kicking people when they're down anyway.

[cheeky little shit, ain't he? he's even smiling a little.]

[BUT STILL AGING. THEREIN LIES THE PROBLEM.]

[slantedcross]

[Youji is entertained by this.]

It might be the only chance you have.

[redabyssinian]

We're alright, Youji.

[And there is an anonymous bottle of a wine that Youji likes at his door. For his birthday and obviously it couldn't be from Aya here.]

[slantedcross]

"We" meaning you and your most lovely and charming sister, I hope?

[Youji did find that when he poked his out into the hall, just to make sure there wasn't a warehouse outside his door. It was what reminded him, oh, yeah, that's today, isn't it...? Which narrows down to the suspect pool considerably.]

[redabyssinian]

That's right.

[Aya's always good for moments like that. Just for you, Youji.]

[slantedcross]

Well, good. I was worried about her.

[He has to find out who gave it to him, now. It is Detective Time. Let's see: the only people who would know his birthday are Aya, Ken, Omi and possibly Sena. Eliminate Sena, Ken, and Omi because they're too young to fetch wine, and oh hey. There are flaws in the solution, because the rules are different in Somarium, but he might find more conclusive evidence later?]

[boat_lights]

[Grouchy Vincent is grouchy, but he still has the means to keep civil. Have a smile.]

Funeral arrangements for acquaintances only? Or will anyone do?

[slantedcross]

[Ooh, humor. We appreciate this. Youji's managed to calm down some after snarking on his friends.]

Well, I charge more for strangers.

[boat_lights]

[He chuckles.]

Ah, well, I do suppose the birthday boy should be allowed his liberties.

Yet another year of life. Congratulations.

[slantedcross]

[A lesser man might have facepalmed, but Youji settles for a sigh.]

Do ignore that. I'd rather not think about it. I have a friend who just turned nineteen, after all.