(no subject)

[beanstalk]

Characters: Kanda Yu [promisedlotus], Y O U!
When: Backdate to Saturday, March 17th.
Where: Apartment Rooftop.
Rating: G.
Summary: Kanda and his feels and lack of duty in Nesreca.

[

"Fight.

It is your duty, as someone chosen by Innocence.

Your duty!"

Those words had been ringing in Kanda's head for what felt like days, with how slow time seems to pass in Nesreca. The reality is, though, they've only been in the forefront of his mind since morning. It was weird, he actually had a dream...about the grand generals, the only group of 'Exorcists' (Because who's to say anyone's seen them actually fight? Or is their title just for show?) uttering those lines, as if talking directly to him.

He didn't get it. He didn't get why he had the dream at all, as brief as it was, and it had been bothering him the entire day. Maybe it just...has to do with General Nine coming here, forced to stay with them (on his floor, no less), while Cross did whatever the hell he wanted.

Two Generals. Two Exorcists. No Noah.

Really...what was the point? They had nothing to fight for. Nothing to protect, really. They were just...here. Existing.

God, how he hates the feeling of deja vu. It wouldn't be the first time he's actually felt helpless, either. When Lenalee left, he felt helpless then, too. Every single person from their world had dwindled down to just four in a matter of two months. Two months. In a sense, it had an irony that almost paralleled Home. Because they were at war, you never knew when one parted ways...if it'll be for the last time. Here, in this desolate "city," you never know who's still here in the morning.

He hated it. It was quiet enough here where he hated it. Every morning, he had to check the rooms. He had to make sure that everyone was still here. Save for Sasuke, if he counted correctly, he's been here the longest.

How is he even still sane.

He watched the strain trying to hold everything together put on Allen. He watched Lenalee's sanity start to chip away the longer she stayed.

All he ever did was watch.

Kanda lifted a hand to cover his face, gritting his teeth as he laid on the rooftop of the apartments. It was still cool out as dust approached, and the rain and sleet had been going on and off all day. He didn't care. He laid there still, only his wool jacket protecting his torso from the cold.

He didn't care if he got sick again. He just wanted the cold, decaying air to help clear his mind.

Kanda parted gloved fingers and glanced up into the cloudy sky, his vision providing the additional raining lotus petals. His time was running out, but as long as he stayed here, he had a little more, didn't he?

He wanted to wait. Wait for Allen to come back (if he ever did, Libitina was more than yanking everyone's chain in December), or wait to be sent home and make the most of it here... Those were the only choices that he seemed to be left with.

There was only so many projects they could do, so much time that they would successfully distract him and keep him busy.

Sorry, Allen. It's hard to live when there's so little left. You can punch him when you get back.]



[[ ooc: tl;dr, he's moping on the rooftop. bother him!! ]]

Comments

[outsidehistory]

[You know that waiting isn't going to do anything but now that there's a second general guarding Nesreca from anything that might happen while they're gone you can go with Lavi on his journey south. He needs to talk to you about it anyway, which is why he listens to the familiar footsteps walking up the stairs and up to the rooftop. Lavi gives Kanda a few long minutes to get situated before pulls himself out of the impromptu library in Rhode's old room and heads up to the rooftop himself.

He walks over to Kanda, wishing that they had thought enough to gather umbrellas from restored places. It's not like any of the apartments had them anyway. Lavi moves over to Kanda's side and sits beside the silent swordsman, keeping the quiet a few minutes longer.]

You're going to worry Alma if you catch a cold.

[beanstalk]

[They probably can. Hell, they might have even been able to when it was just Cross as the only other Exorcist.

It's not like anything ever really happens here anymore. There's been no physical threat in months, and Libitina...does leave enough time between "playing" for them to do whatever.

Kanda drops his hand when Lavi sits beside him, glancing up at the redhead. He let out a breath before sitting up himself, running a hand through his bangs.]

I'll be fine. It's not as cold as it was the last time I got sick, even with my body the way it is.

[outsidehistory]

[Yes, but now they didn't have to rely on Cross summoning his transportation spell, Klaud was right there for the others. The whole place was a lot safer with her around in Lavi's opinion, the woman could get even Cross to step in line.

They need to go home. Stay home. Do something worth while. Because this place is shit for giving them something to do. Even with Libitina's play times.

Lavi leans forward on his knees, wrapping his arms around him.]

Doesn't matter, you could still catch a cold. Why don't you come down in the library with me? At least it's dry.

[beanstalk]

[He guesses. Klaud being here just...actually makes him miss Tiedoll and his stupid fatherly antics. Hell, he even misses Komui at this point.

Kanda would only agree to leave if he could bring Alma. Though he knows... that was nearly impossible.

Kanda gives a shrug, glancing up at the gloomy sky.]

Couldn't hurt, I guess.

[outsidehistory]

[Perhaps one day Tiedoll will end up here. With the way things are looking the Generals might infiltrate this place next. And after them the science division.

The only way that they probably could was if they were from an alternate universe themselves. It won't happen.

Lavi smiles a little and gets to his feet, holding out a hand to Kanda.]

Come on then, I won't even bug you to help.

[beanstalk]

[Then it really would be like home, wouldn't it? He isn't sure if he should wish Lenalee to come back just so she could see it or not. Months later, he feels...horrible that he didn't do a better job of protecting her.

He knows. He knows it's the most unlikely thing to ever happen, deep down. He knows it, but he still can't help but wish for it at the same time. He wants to be able to keep watching Alma, to see the moments that were robbed from them.

If he's not there, then he's just a failure with only one thing left in his dwindling life that he's hanging onto.

Glancing up at the other, he takes the offered hand and gets up onto his feet.]

It's not like there's anything better to do around here.

[outsidehistory]

[So much like home except they might suffocate with all of the familiar faces and still have nothing to do. Home... Home would be best. But it's not Kanda's fault for Lenalee going home, they both saw her every day and saw the toll this place was taking on her. It wasn't healthy. She's better off out of here. They're the stronger two, the ones with those walls built up so high that they can take the hits of losing everyone dear. They can keep going because it's their job to when everyone else is gone. Even if they're not the happiest for it.

Lavi can't even really remember - not truly - what it's like to be happy.

They can watch them here. Maybe secretly record them with their devices so that Kanda can have the memories with him for a while longer than normal. So that they won't become blurred with time. It might not help should Alma leave and it won't help Lavi or Alma if Kanda is the one to leave. But they'll be reminders of happier times at least, when they were all together instead of so far away.]

There's plenty of things, they're just...mundane. [They're not the job we were charged with.

It's amazing their Innocence hasn't made them fall with the lack of anything to do or to fight. Lavi keeps a hold of Kanda's hand like he's afraid his friend will disappear in an instant right in front of him. Just taking Kanda toward the stairs.]

[alma_karma]

[Things had gotten so quiet lately. Quieter than they'd ever been during Alma's time in Nesreca (how long had he been here? He wasn't sure anymore), and it was... lonely. So many people had come and gone, and now that there were so few of them left he sometimes wondered who might be next.

So now he tried his best to keep track of people. To take notice of who was posting on the network and who wasn't, and it would be a lie if he said he didn't wander through the building now and then just to check the doors, even for the rooms that had long since been emptied. Because you never knew.

He listened too. Listened for footsteps up and down the stairs, or the rustle of cloth on the first floor that signaled Cross' return from Credinta. Though somewhat distracted by his notebooks and scribbles, he'd heard Kanda head upstairs a long time ago, and it was starting to get dark.

So after waiting for what he thought was an acceptable amount of time (because sometimes Yu wanted to be alone, and he was getting old enough to respect that), he climbed the rickety staircase in search of his friend. Huddled by the rooftop entrance in one of those jackets that Allen had brought for him more than a year prior, he called out hesitantly.]

Yu?

[beanstalk]

[He tries not to do this openly in front of Alma. He tries to hold himself together, give Alma the childhood the Order stole away from him. It...really was the least he could do.

He always manages to fail, though. When Alma asked why he had been drinking...that was his wake up call to stop that, though he still had the occasional glass with Cross.

Kanda was glad that Alma was getting as normal education as possible. He was learning how to be a child instead of an Exorcist. There were no more tests, no more cold mornings talking to pools full of artificial bodies that would never wake.

When Alma came up to the rooftop, Kanda glanced back at the doorway before sitting up and glancing over.

Ah, he's worrying him again...]

Hey, Alma. You finish your lesson already?

[alma_karma]

[Alma slowly made his way toward Kanda, toying with the too-long sleeves of his jacket before moving to sit beside his friend.

He was worrying, but he always did when Kanda isolated himself like this. It was different than when he went off to train or forage, and it was the only time Alma couldn't tell what the elder was thinking (or so he believed).]

Yeah. It wasn't too hard.

[beanstalk]

[He tried not to do it so much, but it was...hard, when there were only a few of them left out of the large group that had been here before.

Still, it didn't keep him from reaching out to give Alma a little hair ruffle.]

That's good. What did you learn today?

[alma_karma]

[Alma smiled and drew his knees up, wrapping his arms around them before chirping off a few lines in Russian. He's getting pretty good at that accent.]

I learned to ask directions. I think that's how it's pronounced. It's kinda hard to tell when the general's not here to say it.

[beanstalk]

[He really was learning. When given the chance, he picked up on things quickly, and it didn't take him long before he was good at it. He'd do well in a proper school, Kanda figured.

He'd really...have his childhood back, then.

But the problem was that he was a Second, and if anything were to happen to him, he'd heal right back up. His healing hadn't lost speed, and that would immediately draw suspicions and accusations of him being from the other side.

Trouble he'd rather not put Alma through.

He'd have to talk to Cross about coming by more than once a week to teach Alma a little more. Maybe...he could talk to Klaud, too. She was helping Timothy out with his schooling, right?]

It's close enough to get the jist of it, yeah? Keep practicing and you'll get it.

[azrthmtrnznthos.livejournal.com]

[Whoops, guess who was coming up to get some air and meditation...and didn't mean to intrude. Still, she's reluctant to leave right away...something is off, but she's not going to guess what, since she hasn't met this resident, yet. Not aside from seeing posts.]

...I..didn't mean to disturb you.

[Privately, he seemed disturbed whether she was the cause or not, but best to be polite.]

[beanstalk]

[It's fine, he knows the roof is used by others. He just didn't feel like going out to his usual place in the woods.

Kanda drops his hand after a brief moment before sitting up and then getting to his feet, dusting his backside off.]

You didn't. I just came for fresh air.

[azrthmtrnznthos.livejournal.com]

[Funny, that's what she came for.]

Still....

[And awkward silence is awkward...not that this would usually bother her...]

We...haven't met yet.

[beanstalk]

[Funny how many like-minded people there actually were here.

Kanda's choosing to ignore the awkward silence. Which is...normal, for him.]

It's Kanda. [His name.]

[azrthmtrnznthos.livejournal.com]

Raven

[She's usually fairly good at ignoring awkward silences too--but this time it seems like that'd be a bad idea.]

....how long have you been here?

[beanstalk]

[He wouldn't hold it against anyone if he were ignored like this. More time to himself, says Kanda.]

Over a year.

M E?

[leekspins]

"Hou... It's actually kind of nice up here!"

The voice belonged to one of the newcomers, looking as if she'd just stepped outside. In truth, she'd been up here for several quiet moments. She hadn't been sure if she should interrupt the man and his privacy, but there just seemed to be so much grief hanging around him. It would have felt like a knife in the heart to just leave him like that.

She held her hands behind her back as she took a few steps forward, still keeping a respectful distance for now, her face turned up to the sky. "I bet you could see a million stars on a clear night."

Y O U!!

[beanstalk]

Kanda couldn't help but drop his hand and turn to see who had just wandered up here. He didn't recall hearing the voice before, so it had to be one of the newcomers. He just...wasn't sure which one, since he only knew two of them.

Guess it was time to find out.

Giving a shrug, Kanda settled back down, glancing up at the sky. All he saw was a million petals raining down but never really land.

"If you can get a clear sky around here at all, maybe."

8D

[leekspins]

"Heeeeeeeeh?! You mean it's always cloudy?!" Orihime gasped, and threw her head back to stare up at the sky in bewilderment. How depressing! Whoever this Master was, he sure did like things gloomy. She just wished she knew why.

She sighed, head dropping and shoulders wilting. It was a disappointment, but her spirits weren't quite so easily dampened. "Is it all right if I join you, then?" she asked, tucking her hands behind her back. If not, then she wouldn't take one more step forward. Had she known him better, perhaps she might not have bothered to ask, but she wasn't about to go trampling all over the privacy of a stranger without express permission.

:D

[beanstalk]

Excuse him for a moment to stare briefly at that outburst. He can share the sentiment that the near-constant cloud cover over the two cities was depressing, but...

...That's one way to overdo it.

Once the moment's passed, he has to look away to hide the slight smirk he feels tugging at his lips. It was just so unexpected it was actually... kinda funny. His smirk was actually genuine too, not forced and fake for reassurance.

It felt...nice.

"Yeah, sure, go ahead." It's the least he can do in return, right?

[leekspins]

Orihime beamed. "Thank you very much," she replied, wasting no time in hustling forward. Already there was a slight change in the heavy atmosphere that hung around him, and for that, she was glad.

Even if it meant learning that the weather was almost always poor. :(

Unafraid of heights, she went right up to the edge of the rooftop, then sat down, looking out over the ruins of the city. She pushed her hair back with one hand to keep the wind from blowing it into her face. Maybe the sky wasn't bright and blue, but the view up here was still pretty nice. There was still a lot she had yet to learn about the city, the ghostly silhouette of the ferris wheel, the river, and what appeared to be a nice civilization on the other side. But first things first.

"I'm Orihime," she introduced herself, turning her head to look at the man. "From Karakura Town, near Tokyo. Where are you from?"

[beanstalk]

Cheering up someone like Kanda was also a feat, and somehow Orihime's managed to do it within their first conversation. Lavi would be pretty shocked if he saw it, he was sure.

He watched her silently as she observed the city from the edge of the apartments. If the building had still been in it's 'ruined' state, he probably wouldn't have let her near it. Being on the rooftop of a crumbly building definitely wasn't safe.

...He should know, the roof of one caved in on him before.

Kanda tilted his head a bit, rising an eyebrow. He's near of neither city before.

"Nowhere, really." Kanda gave a shrug. It was pretty much the truth. He was from wherever the Black Order castle was, he never cared to learn about the cities nearby.