findingways | IC Inbox for Kaisou

[There truly was, even if Varian struggles to see it. His self-loathing is pretty strong, and it makes it hard for him to really realise how much Andrew pulled his strings to have him exactly how he wanted him. ]

I helped Rapunzel. I um- we got onto the airship he was gonna drop the chemical from and fought him. He tried to kill me but didn't manage it...obviously. But in the fight he destroyed the ropes holding the airship up, there were only a few left and not enough to keep it afloat. If it crashed, it would have exploded and killed everyone.

[He hugs an arm around himself, letting out a slow breath. This never goes well. ]

I tried to stay behind. I could've used the chemicals to get the ship high enough so it wouldn't hurt anyone when it exploded. [Except for him.] I-I it was the best option. I didn't have anyone left who would have missed me and I just- I just wanted to fix something.

[Even if fixing it meant him dying. He shrugs.]

Rapunzel wouldn't let me. She got me out of there and got the ship away- survived the blast herself. After everything had calmed down, she used this new ability she found to get my dad back. He was...fine. [He plucks some imaginary lint off his arm, expression still sad.] I've spent all the rest of my time trying to do good for the kingdom. To-to put good in the world to try and balance out all the bad I put into it.

[ While Moana is a bit surprised to be getting a call from Luffy, she definitely does pick up the strangeness in his tone. ]

Yeah, all right. Where do you wanna go?

[ She picks up pretty quickly what would have happened to him if he had stayed on the airship, and the fact that he was willing to do it makes her heart hurt. Hesitating just a moment, she then places a gentle hand on his arm. ]

...Good. I'm glad...I'm glad that Rapunzel was able to get you out of there. I'm glad that you're alive.

[ Even though she's still trying to get her head around everything else he's told her, she wants him to just know that. ]

You said you have a boat, right?

I'm stronger now. Let me help you move it!

Boat. Water. Potential voyage on the ocean. That will definitely get his mind off things.

[He doesn't pull away from her touch, and manages a small, thin-lipped smile. It's never an especially fun story to tell and he knows that it's not an easy one to listen to, either. But he's glad he's lanced that particular wound. Moana deserved to know. ]

Thanks. Most of the time, I am too.

[Some days, the darker days, he isn't- but at least those are fewer than they used to be. ]

[ That doesn't sound too strange on her own, but she still can't help wondering what brought this on so suddenly. Still, it'd probably be easier to get to the bottom of it in person. ]

Yeah, sure, that'd be great. It's at the lake in the park, so I can meet you there in a few minutes and we'll go from there?

[ She returns with a smile of her own, as reassuring a one as she can manage as she gently squeezes his arm. ]

And I appreciate you telling me all this. I know it can't be easy for you, and I'm glad to know that you trust me enough with it.

Sure! I can meet you there!

Perfect! This will definitely get his mind off things! And it doesn't take him long to head over to the lake to meet her.

Edited 2022-11-11 22:16 (UTC)

Of course. I do trust you with it. I um...thanks for listening. I really appreciate it.

[It's a big thing, for him to trust someone enough with this part of himself. No one has turned him away yet, but there's always a part of him that worries about it, all the same. ]

And no...it's- it's really not easy. I don't know. It's- it's just hard to talk about. Admitting the sort of person I was.

[ After hanging up, it doesn't take long for Moana to get to the park either, and when she sees him she waves. ]

Hey, Luffy!

[ With a smile, she nods. ] Of course. I promised to be here for you, and I meant it.

And honestly, it really says a lot that you're able to talk about this in the first place. It's not easy for people to admit their mistakes in general, let alone something as big as all this. But that you still want to be honest even in the face of all that is really brave.

He's a little more jittery than usual, a little more nervous seeking, but otherwise his typical, bright and cheery self. At least, on the surface that is.

Moana, hey! How are you? Where's the boat? Where do you want to move it?

A million questions at once, another thing that's typical of him but also, off. They're asked with a bit too much cheer and a bit too quickly.

It's still...well, it's a lot for someone to deal with. It's uh- it's not exactly a regular friendship problem.

[Most friendship problems their age centre around being unable to do homework or who to take to some party, he's pretty sure. He hums softly, not convinced. ]

I never have to think about it back home. Everyone knows already, you-you can't really...commit high treason and try to murder the entire royal family and it not be common knowledge, y'know? But people don't know here, and it means I get away with not being That Guy Who Did That here...

[He shrugs.]

I dunno if it's...it's bravery telling people about it or cowardice that I keep it hidden in the first place.

[ There's definitely something a bit off about his energy, even for Luffy. She tries to school expression though as she smiles, gesturing further into the park. ]

In the lake over there. Getting it out of the water shouldn't be a problem, but we have to get passed the goose first.

[ Because the dumb bird almost seems to be guarding it. ]

Once we get it, we can take it to the beach. I brought my parents' car to drive it there if we need it.

Yeah, I guess that is true. [ It really is a lot, and she doesn't want to trivialize any of it by acting like it's no big deal.

Still, she can't help shaking her head a little. ] It's not cowardice. You're a different person now, and what happened back then was in a whole different world. Those events doesn't affect anything in this world, so there isn't really a need for other people to know. But you make the choice to tell people, and that's a really big thing.

Okay, then maybe we should go the fast way!

Please say no, you have no idea what the fast way is, it'll potentially traumatize you.

[You're a different person now. That means more to him than she might realise. He rubs his arm absently with his arm, his tail twitching with leftover anxiety.]

I- I guess you're right. I'm just not used to doing it and sometimes...I dunno. It feels like I'm hiding it from people when they don't already know. I guess a part of me was worried people wouldn't want anything to do with me if they knew the truth about who I was.

[For her birthday, Moana will be visited by Ruddiger, who is carting with him a lovely little wrapped box. If Moana is foolish enough to let him inside, he'll definitely rifle through her kitchen for food before taking a nap nearby. Raccoons, it turns out, are not the most reliable of messengers.

Still, the package is relatively intact and the present inside is fine! When Moana opens it she'll find a seashell necklace filled with glow-in-the-dark alchemy. Pretty! With it, there's a note wishing her a happy birthday.

Happy Holiday from Zodiac!

Congratulations! You've been specially selected to take part in our first annual Secret Santa holiday gift exchange! 🎁

This year, you'll be giving a gift to Cale! Please try to find a nice gift for them by December 25th! And remember, Secret Santa always works best when it's a surprise!

We highly recommend you participate, as no one wants to suffer on the holidays!

Thank you, and enjoy the season! ☃️

[As usual, any replies will receive no response from Zodiac]

[ Moana definitely lets the little guy inside, and even helps him find a snack. While he's napping, she unwraps the gift from Varian, then sends him a quick reply. ]

Hey, Varian! Thank you so much for the gift, I love it!

[ She'll also snap a picture of Ruddiger sleeping and sends it to him. ]

Also, he might not be back for a while.

[ ....she should say no, but she's also insanely curious. ]

What's the fast way?

[ She's quiet for a moment as she thinks. As easy as it would be to reassure him that that wouldn't be the case, she knows that might not be true and it would feel disingenuous. ]

...Unfortunately, there's always that possibility. There could be some people that might not be able to get past some of your history. [ Looking back at him, she offers him a smile. ] But there are still others who are more than happy to give you a chance, and stick with you through everything. Ad it can be hard, but they're always worth finding.

You're welcome. The chemical compound in it shouldn't run out, but if it ever gets dull, just give it a shake and it'll be back to normal.

Yeah, that's always a risk with him, sorry about that. If he gets too much of a bother, just put him out.

[He's so very glad she didn't reassure him completely. It would be too big a lie to swallow, even if it had been meant in good faith. He's been lucky, he knows that much- both here and back home- he's found wells of forgiveness. But he knows that doesn't mean he'll find it always. ]

Yeah, they are. It's- I'm really lucky to have people like that in my life. [He offers her a smile in return.] Thanks, Moana. It really means a lot.

( at some point before winter break, moana will find a perfectly wrapped blue and silver box sitting on her homeroom desk. everyone's been polite enough not to mess with it, but the sender isn't anywhere to be seen! within the box is two things: a book of myths about japanese water creatures- from harmless to straight up demons- and a blank-looking cd save for a blue snowflake drawn on it.

the cd, at least, will play a few tracks. some are soft like where the tide meets the shore you stand on, and some... some feel more like the large waves that come with a storm. maybe that is not good, actually, but mafuyu doesn't do the whole 'comfort' thing well. )

IC Inbox for Kaisou

tw: sucicidal intention

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A gift!

UN: Zodiac; 12/1

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happy chrysler