Wasted and wounded, it ain't what the moon did

[inblood]

[It's been a few days since the...incident with Kumagawa. Thanks to Sei things turned out better than they could have, but it still isn't something Touya could just recover from. He's spent these last few days in his room, avoiding contact with others as much as possible, not eating or talking, barely even responding to anything. Today, Audi finally kicked him out of the room to  eat something.

Flatmates can find him poking about for food and making a small and simple snack. He still isn't very hungry, but health is important.

Later on, he ventures out to the streets. With the seal back in its proper place, Bouffalant wasn't really conscious enough to follow Touya, so now Touya's out looking for the buffafro that's been meandering through the streets for days. They'll find eachother eventually, they always do.

Finally, after he's found his buffalo, Touya can be found in a park or other relatively peaceful part of London. He's sitting with his eyes closed, back against the large Pokemon, just listening to everything around him. His head's been ringing ever since that event, maybe if he focuses and listens he can find the cause. He's still too jittery for this to look like meditation though.]

Comments

[hairpine]

[......... But

why are you upset I didn't do anything wrong???]

It is... the truth, isn't it? If that is the sort of person that you became, then that is the sort of person that you truly are. It's really very simple!

[inblood]

[You hit him with the truth a few too many times.]

N-No, no! I'm not, I'm-- That isn't me! I'm not that monster! [...He's been called one a few too many times, and since he orphaned himself? He has to put in a bit of effort to convince himself he isn't.]

[hairpine]

You aren't a monster, Sir! You are just as human as myself or Kumagawa.

[So either wholly or not very, depending on who's asking.]

[inblood]

I-I'm not a monster... I'm not... [He's less hysteric now, but still pretty upset. He's trying to force himself to calm down. Extreme emotions can override the seal, after all.]

[hairpine]

... Yes, that is what I said.

[inblood]

[...Give him a moment.

There we go.]

S-Sorry, I don't...usually have outbursts like that. It's been a bad week.

[hairpine]

Do cheer up, Sir! It mustn't be all bad, hm?

[inblood]

It's been...pretty bad. I've had worse, but... I've spent the whole week listening to a huge rip in my soul. It's...almost as... [Words. What word can he use? uh...] ...difficult as hearing Them, I guess.

[hairpine]

... That is not difficult.

[inblood]

I mean difficult as in...hard on me. [He'll wipe at one of his ears again for emphasis, and to check if they're still bleeding.] It's...not the easiest thing to listen to for extended periods of time.

[hairpine]

[...... oh. for you.

right, people. are different.]

I highly doubt that there is anything broken, Mr Touya. As I've said, I am doing quite well!

[inblood]

It...might just be because my world is...different, then. Since...my soul isn't just mine.

[hairpine]

Or perhaps you are mistaken!

[inblood]

[A slow headshake.] No. I can hear it... It isn't incomplete, or missing any pieces or anything...it just isn't intact. Like if you rip a corner off of some fabric and then try to stitch it back on. It's whole, but not intact, and doesn't quite connect right. I can...hear these kinds of things.

[hairpine]

... Perhaps if you were to accept that part of you?

[inblood]

No... [His tone sounds like "How would that help?".] It...hasn't always been like this. The rip wasn't there until that guy - Kumagawa - did that...screw thing.

[hairpine]

You are --

[... What's the word.]

Unsettled! Kumagawa's negativity has left you in an unnerved state. It's as if you are a woman, you see, and he has suddenly flipped your skirt! Your true nature, in this metaphor, is comparable to your knickers -- there is nothing wrong with you, Mr Touya! He has done nothing wrong, though the action itself may be brought into question. It is your responsibility to right yourself!