017 | Goldenrod City | Video / Action;

[usedlaserbeam]

[It may seem like an odd endeavor, wandering the snowy streets of Goldenrod in such relatively unpleasant weather, but sure enough, that's precisely what Yagyuu's doing today. It's not the first time he's gone over these streets and it almost certainly won't be the last; he's not so much exploring today as he is just walking the familiar byways, his breath making translucent clouds in the chilly air.

There's a Vulpix riding along with him, curled around his shoulders and supported atop his backpack, nuzzled in close to his neck like an oversize, furry, Fire-type scarf. If the weight or the awkwardness of ferrying her in that way bothers him, he certainly doesn't show it; his own scarf is draped light but snug from his neck to his chin, and the collar of his heavy winter coat is turned up as added protection against the cold.

He's carrying a few bags with him, of varying sizes, all unmistakably from the Goldenrod Department Store—evidently, he's been out shopping. And perhaps he still is, because at the moment he's stopped in front of the frosted glass window of a jewelry store, peering in at the display and watching the light catch the facets of the gemstones as they glitter against their black velvet backings.]

Another four days and you'll be six months old, Masako. It is strange how time flies, isn't it?

[He's speaking quietly, more to himself than the little fox on his shoulders.]

And strange, too, how much can change in seven months.

[And he seems to dwell on that, lost in thought, as the jewels gleam bright in the window and the fine mist of his condensing breath drifts and disperses in the cold afternoon air.]

Comments

[audio, because why are you outside in the cold sob]

[illusioning]

Careful, or you'll start sounding like as much of an old man as Sanada does sometimes.

[audio, because SUCK IT UP AND DEAL, that's why]

[usedlaserbeam]

I don't think there's much need to be concerned over that. I don't do a very good impression of him.

[audio, because well damn]

[illusioning]

We don't really need more than one anyway.

[Never mind the fact that he's been giving his name out as Sanada's.]

[audio, because B| ]

[usedlaserbeam]

[He's quiet a minute at that, the words turning over in his head, echoing a completely different intent when filtered through the haze of his melancholy.

And then, after that minute passes, he finally answers—back in the throat, deep, there, now you've got it—in a voice that is unmistakably Atobe's.]

Of course. An imitation is never comparable to the original, ah~n?

[audio, because 8| ]

[illusioning]

[He raises an eyebrow at that response, almost clicking his tongue at it.

He doesn't, instead he'll just go along with it. They had been talking about Sanada, after all.]

Hn. Sometimes the original is not worth imitating.

video;

[the_whitequeen]

[ Worried girl. ] Are ... are you alright?

video;

[usedlaserbeam]

[Why, hello there, worried girl. Have some gentlemanly courtesy.]

Ah, I'm just fine, thank you. Lost in thought, perhaps, but that's all it is.

video;

[the_whitequeen]

I am sorry ... this is probably none of my business

[ Pause. ] ... I was worried.

video;

[usedlaserbeam]

I'm touched by your concern; it's very kind of you, miss...?

video;

[tensai]

Dude, enough about that, no one cares how old the vulpix is! Could you get me some gum? I can't find where Jackal put my last stash! [is he panicked? most definitely. does he care about masako? not when his gum is missing.]

video;

[usedlaserbeam]

When I said I'd come to your rescue in the future, Marui-kun, I will admit this isn't precisely what I had in mind.

What flavors?

video;

[tensai]

Trust me, this wasn't what I had in mind either. [so maybe he's been opening every cupboard and drawer in the house. and a certain teddiursa has been cleaning up after him. yagyuu might even catch a glimpse of the teddiursa in the background.]

Um. Green apple, cherry, raspberry and melon. Would be great.

video;

[usedlaserbeam]

...Are you ransacking the house?

[action]

[riset]

... I don't know if amethysts work for you.

[ from behind, muffled by a large pink scarf. The usual Flareon suspect is pressed against her leg, tail fluffed up to ridiculous proportions and seeming quite content in this weather. ]

[action]

[usedlaserbeam]

[Well, look who it is. They have a knack for meeting up in the cold, don't they.]

I never was much a fan of purple. Good afternoon, Kujikawa-san.

[action]

[riset]

[ she'll regret her snowy day wanderings one of these days. ]

Me neither, actually. [ tugging the scarf down a little to speak properly. ] You've been busy.

[action]

[usedlaserbeam]

[He glances from the bracelets in the window to Rise, momentarily wondering if that's bait to get him to talk about the grand scheme of things, or if it's as simple an inquiry as where he's been today. Either way, the dual possibility wins his faint approval.]

That's only to be expected, when there's a great deal to do. [But he smiles, lightly, which given Yagyuu may be tellingly suspicious in itself.] Are you going to demand to see the contents of all my bags?

[video]

[combat_butler]

Wait until you hit twelve!

That's when you really realize how bizarre things might be. Or how things are dramatically and hilariously different.

[video]

[usedlaserbeam]

Oh? And what makes a year's anniversary so bizarre in particular, Ayasaki-san?

[video]

[combat_butler]

Realizing that you have in fact been here a whole year.

[video]

[usedlaserbeam]

Is that so different from any other anniversary, though?

voice.

[reveiller]

[ mmm... ]

Can you still see your breath in the air?

voice.

[usedlaserbeam]

Only if I don't close my eyes.

voice.

[reveiller]

Then, I don't think that much has changed.

voice.

[usedlaserbeam]

You certainly haven't. But perhaps you never will, Fuji-kun.