isleofavalon | october catch all | don't call me 'honey'

[ the month of october only brought in two things in the café world: pumpkin and apple flavored things. naoto knows that not offering that might as well be commercial suicide, so this month's special is a pumpkin spice latte and an apple pie.

naoto's stil running around doing most of the work, but it seems that this month has him forcing a smile on his face, not even the courteous customer service smile. ]

[ naoto had an issue with this quest: first of all, rude to steal someone's head. second: why????

but there he had been, being oddly particular about how he cleaned up the deceased. he had only learned just recently on how to do so, but it was as if naoto was past the squeamishness. but even so, it didn't hide the pain in his eyes.

but clearly, the headless horseman was already after him, having cuts everywhere to prove his current situation. catching his breath as he looked over his shoulder to make sure he made it out alive, he groaned. ]

Really had to be my day, huh? [ boy, does he hate being the world's punching bag. ]

[ the benefits of being eighteen: drinking.

he had grown up on sake, but in small doses as appropriate for his age. for the most part, naoto had kept to himself and it worked out well for him. in fact, he's seen a lot of people go, and for someone as introverted as he is, naoto is very quick to notice who he's talked to and when they've disappeared. time didn't have to move in order to see the months move by. sure, he's made a few friends here and there, but he realizes that it might as well have been temporary for them just as much as it was for him. for once, he didn't feel bad for staying at arm's length. he had been okay with that: skating through life just in case that if he went back home, no one would miss him.

but then makoto came around, and brought back something he thought he didn't really need anymore. sure, it was spur of the moment and not the slow burn he thought romance was (thanks, visual novels), but it was real, and naoto cherished it. but now it was gone. he wasn't even sure he got a goodbye in before she was gone like thin air. maybe it was for the better, his cynical self said, the flashback of the siren incident flooding his mind. he shakes it off, shakes every negative thing off in order to push forward and ignore it in favor of not letting anyone in.

if they didn't see his pain, they didn't have to ask, and he can just focus on moving forward on his own terms. it had worked for the most part-- but for now, when he thinks he's alone in his cafe, he drinks from a bottle of wine straight and buries his head in his arms.

if no one sees him crying, then it doesn't exist. ]

[If a tree falls in the woods and nobody's around to hear it, Kratos will find a way to show up and ruin it. The same goes for sad boys having a sad moment, Kratos just had to choose today to come in after hours. It's not because he's that much of a workaholic, he's just come in to find something that he's misplaced. It's not overly surprising that Naoto's still at the café even at such an odd hour, considering he owns the place, but what is odd is the fact that this kid is hanging out alone with an entire bottle of wine. And no glass. Hey Naoto that's a little concerning. Kratos doesn't want to be nosy, buuut this is one of those situations where he thinks it might be best to be at least a little bit nosy.

He doesn't want to startle Naoto too much, so he clears his throat from the doorway to get his attention rather than creeping up on him or something.]

I wasn't expecting to find you here so late.

[He's not the best at interacting with people in general, but he's pretty good at reading them. He has a feeling that something is bothering Naoto, and as it wasn't exactly difficult to notice when Makoto stopped showing up, he has a pretty good idea of what that something is.]

Edited (when u mix up brackets with prose in the same tag >8U) 2021-10-06 02:34 (UTC)

[ he didn't expect someone to come in after hours anyways. but hearing the noise of someone coming in has him peeking up from his arms. ah, red hair. naoto knows who it is and lets his head sink back down. he didn't have to fight against some robber. on one hand, that was better for his incapacitated brain.

on the other, he's going to have to explain himself and his bottle. he wipes the tears from his eyes, not wanting to show anything other than happiness. ]

Just trying to get some sleep and failing. [ a see through lie, but he doesn't bring himself to care. ] I'll head home soon. Don't worry about me.

[Kratos says nothing just yet, instead crossing the room and picking up the bottle. After carefully inspecting it, mostly just to get an idea of how much is left in it, he sighs softly and sets it back down.]

Mm hm. I'm going into the back for a moment. When I return, you're going to tell me the truth. Understand?

[It's not said in a threatening way, more of an "I'm pulling a dad move" sort of way. He even gently ruffles Naoto's hair before heading into the back. He returns with a glass of water, which he sets in front of Naoto, and a cup of tea for himself. He doesn't attempt to take the wine away when he sits down, but he will make sure Naoto finishes the water.]

Now, why don't you tell me what's really bothering you.

[ Minako feels sad too when she notices Makoto is gone. Of course she does. Even though she knows that she's going to see the other girl again the moment she goes home, she has no idea how long it's going to take before she gets to go home again in the first place. And until then she will have to spend time here in this place without her presence - just like how she has to spend it without Ami's, without Rei's.

She's the only one who's left of their little group of being Usagi's protectors.

But that's not the only thing she's thinking about. Minako knows that there's more Makoto is leaving behind - and of course her mind first and foremost goes to Naoto when she thinks about that. Those two really seemed so fond of each other, and now.. this. They never even got to say goodbye, did they?

Thankfully Minako has a good idea of where to find the other, so the girl soon enough makes her way over to the cafe. She doesn't quite enter, since she doesn't want to startle him, but after a few moments - look, she was hoping he'd look up, but he didn't!! - Naoto might hear someone knocking against the front window of the cafe.

And when he looks at the source, he will find Minako standing outside, giving him a small - extremely small, by her standards - smile as a greeting. ]

[ naoto doesn't respond to kratos' demand, not at first, at least. when the hand ruffles his hair, he ends up flinching, but keeps his head down. for a touch starved kid like him, he didn't understand what was going on at first. but he keeps his head down regardless.

when the other steps into the back, the teenager finally spares a glance towards his direction. he wondered why he wasn't acting like any other adult he's encountered. back home they'd always just let him cry and cry until he had nothing left, and even then all they'd do was give him a pitying look. what made this whole thing different?

why was he different?

he doesn't say anything when kratos does come back and takes a seat in front of him, but this time instead of hiding his face, he keeps his head rested on his forearms. he finds the wine glass a lot more interesting to look at, especially if he's going to talk about his gross feelings. ]

... Makoto went home. I don't think I said goodbye to her.

[ the teenager looks up at the door, wondering who would be coming in at the dead of night, but that bright yellow hair and wave was more than enough. he swallowed thickly-- what even is there to say to her? the cynic in him wanted to say something, but the kindness in him quickly won out: she was probably hurting, just as much as he is. maybe more so, what with the 'reincarnated space princesses' thing they all had going on.

so instead of being the asshole his broken heart wants him to be, he stands up and heads over to open the door. even if he had wiped his face before doing so, it was clear that naoto had been crying. puffy eyes and reddened cheeks were hard to hide, after all. but even so, he still forces on a smile. ]

Hey, Minako... did you need something?

[Well, it had been easier to get Naoto to talk than Kratos had expected. Not having to coax it out of him might make this a little easier. Maybe. Assuming Kratos doesn't accidentally say something insensitive.

It's fine, it'll be fine. He listens intently, folding his hands on the table.]

How terrible... I'm sorry to hear that, Naoto. How long ago did this happen, exactly?

You're not --

[Dust isn't sure how to finish that sentence, as he flips Ahrah back into his usual reverse-grip. Maybe Ahrah would know... but Ahrah doesn't say a word, leaving it to Dust to fill the gap he'd left.]

You're not at your best today.

[To put it mildly.]

[Ken didn't know why he felt the need to come into the cafe. He wasn't working his shift but he couldn't deny that he was feeling hungry. After a long day of training and playing soccer, it only made sense that his stomach would be growling. Not only that, Koromaru was barking rather loudly as he too wanted something to eat. As he took a step into the building, that's when he saw Naoto nearby.

Before he even got a chance to say something, Koromaru gave a bark before running toward the teen.]

Koromaru...!

[Ken shouted before following suit. Although, he didn't say anything and instead? He wanted to see what Naoto would say first.]

Hmm.

[ The girl's head dips into a nod, her look turning perhaps even a bit more sympathetic when she sees Naoto's face up close. It was one thing to see his form from behind the window, but now she can clearly see just how red his face and eyes are.

.. he really liked Makoto that much, huh? It's so sad.. Why do people suddenly have to be separated like that here? ]

I just wanted to give you some company. [ She makes sure to not let her smile waver as she says it. She wants to try and be a comforting presence here. A supportive one.

She moves her hands out from behind her back, holding up a bag of cookies. ]

And some cookies! [ Her smile turns a tad more awkward. ] Which.. I might only now be realising wasn't my brightest idea..

[ Yes, Minako, bring cookies to the guy with a cafe full of sweets. Ugh! Okay, maybe she panicked when she realised she had someone she quickly had to go to comfort and grabbed the first thing she thought of, o-okay! ]

[ he was hoping that would be enough to make kratos leave him alone, but he decides not to push it. if he was going to be a weird adult, naoto's going to let him be a weird adult. he sighs, burying his head down deeper into his arms. ]

Last month. Haven't seen her in a while now, and she hasn't answered any texts or anything. Error message reads 'that user doesn't exist.' or something like that...

Unfortunately.

[ he has a wry smile and a look that screamed acceptance. naoto knew that somehow his life would go to hell in a handbasket, but there was no point complaining. ]

If you don't mind lending a hand, I'd love to get out of here.

[ that was definitely a dog bark. naoto looked up, only to see said dog running up to him-- and he had no real time to brace himself if he got tackled, so he just accepted his fate. ]

Hey, Koromaru...!

[ company was appreciated. he didn't want to be alone, but he's always been alone so he wondered if he had just unconsciously pulled away from those he cared about. he had to get better about that. but also, he didn't need to have others see him cry over the loss. unless that was normal...?

what was normal, actually? naoto didn't know.

but then the cookies were offered. yes, not her brightest idea, but that couldn't stop naoto from giggling. ]

Thanks. [ it was a sincere thanks, even if his voice was shaky and strained. ] Come in. I'll get some tea going-- think I'm tired of the thing I was drinking anyways.

[Dust debates on insisting that Naoto stay down and let him handle this, but quickly dismisses the thought. Not because he thinks it's wrong, but because he's sure it will never work and just start an argument.]

That's what I'm here for.

[ He doesn't have to tell her twice to come in. Minako does so right away, carrying the cookies with her until she can set them down where he was sitting a moment ago. Then the girl herself takes a seat there, still smiling at the other once Naoto passes by her to put the tea on. ]

I can't believe you were sitting here all by yourself.. [ It's not whining though, nor is it a complaint. If anything, sympathy shines through in her voice as she says it. ] It's a good thing I came.

[ Because otherwise he might just have kept sitting here all by himself. ]

It's too sad to deal with this all alone.

Thanks. I really appreciate it.

[ naoto would be the type to start an argument if he was told to stay down, but right now, he just wanted to take a break for the time being. ]

Who knew getting away would be so hard...? Determined little bugger.

[ naoto's back was turned, but those words hit him a lot harder than he'd thought they would. yeah, he was lucky she was around to at least make the pain a little more bearable. he keeps working on the tea, choosing a simple chamomile tea to ease the buzzing in his head.

but soon enough, two steaming cups were on the table, and naoto puts the gifted cookies on a plate. ]

Yeah, it kind of is... pathetic too, really. But honestly, who would I even go to, with this kind of problem...? [ a small, bitter laugh. ] Most people would've told me to get over it, back home.

I'm surprised you're not going right back in. [Dust, for his part, keeps a lookout -- which he can do more effectively than his hat indicates. They can't count on being undiscovered here, after all.]

You've been dealing with this by yourself all this time. I'm sorry, Naoto, I didn't realize.

[HAH sorry nerd. Kratos is the weirdest adult, and he's trying his best to adult correctly. Just like right now, he's trying to decide if he should leave it at that, or try... helping? Is that what he's doing right now? He has no idea, but he hopes he is.]

You know... I know that this sort of thing is difficult to talk about, but if you think it would help, I'm more than happy to listen. I just don't want you to think that you have to suffer in silence, that sort of thing is never good for anyone.

.. What do you mean?

[ The look on her face definitely turns more concerned as she looks at him now, her brows knitting together into a frown. ]

Why would they just tell you to get over it? [ Sure, Minako can see some merit in it, if someone has been moping for too long. But Makoto only just left! That would mean they wouldn't even be giving Naoto the slightest moment to mourn his loss. ] What's so wrong with being sad when something that hurts you happens? It's not even like this is a little thing.

[Meanwhile as Koromaru kept on barking, Ken just stared at Naoto before raising an eyebrow or two.]

It seems like he's pretty excited to see you.

[Pause] Or that he wanted to cheer you up.

I kinda want to take a breather here!

[ he almost lost his arm! again!! he keeps his own guard up, despite his own nerves being shot. ] How'd you get roped into this anyways?

It's fine.

[ no point crying over spilt milk. she left, and he's alone again. he can't say he didn't expect it, but he had hoped it would happen later rather than sooner. kratos offering to let him talk about it, however, makes naoto look at him with... a rather perplexed expression on his face. ]

... why?

[ because clearly no one's ever talked about 'venting' to him before. ]

I think it's just their way of moving forward. Just ignore the pain you feel and look to the future, I think.

[ he takes a sip of his tea. it certainly helps him calm down before he tries to speak again, especially if his gut feeling is to just be angry about it. he doesn't even understand why he's so angry. ]

... It's not like this is an easy thing to get over. I feel kind of lost, really.

I don't know. Could be both. I really can't complain though.

[ he looks up at ken, smiling weakly. ]

What brings you here?

[Kratos also looks a bit perplexed, he may be bad at reading people but even he knows that being able to lean on someone after something like this can help. Had Naoto simply not had that sort of support system back home? It's certainly starting to seem that way, which is really starting to remind Kratos of his own situation. A little bit, at least. Kratos hadn't had anyone to lean on for support, and he doesn't want Naoto to have to suffer through the same thing.]

Hm. Would you prefer to face this alone? Makoto is surely safe wherever she is, but you're obviously still taking the fact that she isn't here pretty hard. In my experience, recovering from a loss without support can be... difficult. Even just having someone there to listen would have made so much of a difference. Even if my advice might not be the best, I want you to know that I care, and I want to be here for you if you need it.

[ Well, it sure is.. a way to move forward, she supposes. But Minako doesn't think it's right to just force that sort of thing onto everyone - especially since it might not really help in the long run, forcing you to just remember the pain at some point later down the road.

It's why she doesn't tell him to move on right now. Instead her gaze turns a little softer still when he says he feels lost.

Naoto never seemed like the type to say that kind of thing. ]

It's hard. When you really like someone, and they're suddenly gone.. It's like losing a piece of yourself. Of course you'd feel lost. [ Minako slowly shakes her head. ] I mean.. you really seemed to like Mako-chan.

It's a quest, it was on the phone thing. I always do stuff like this.

[Roped in? He's here voluntarily!]

I thought the cleaning up graves was the quest!

[ because who would actually think there was a headless horseman running around in a month like october!? clearly, not naoto. he groans. ] Man, what a time to forget how to read...

Edited (html broke) 2021-10-24 21:42 (UTC)

No, we're supposed to protect the folks who are doing this by fighting the headless guy off every time he shows up.

[Seriously, if it was cleaning graves... well, Dust still would have taken the quest, but he wouldn't have particularly enjoyed it.]

[ no support system was putting it lightly. but he takes that dose of knowledge that kratos gives him and gives it the run around in his head. yeah, coping with loss was hard-- too many in his life and he isn't even sure if he's truly processed the trauma with someone else.

naoto still has a lingering sense of doubt that kratos is just saying that just to make him feel better. it was times like these where he wishes he had his eye just to be sure-- but now he had to rely on his own judgement. and his judgement was saying it was alright to trust in his words.

so he might as well give it a chance, right? ]

Thank you. [ a weak smile. ] That... means a lot more than you think. And... it goes both ways. If you ever need me for something, I got you. Not out of a sense of obligation, but... that's what friends do, right?

[ friends was still another thing, but he's learning! ]

[ yep, naoto hates himself for not reading the text properly. then again, school was something he never was too good at, so he can't hold himself too accountable. making things right now would be better. ]

Well, I'm here now. Want to work together?

[ naoto's pain is actually still fresh, since no one's ever really cared to help him through it, but he doesn't hold it against anyone. he figures it'll just be something he carries to his grave.

but when minako doesn't give him the expected response, but instead something completely different, he blinks. well, that really is new. but she mentions how much he loved her, and he can only muster a small smile. ]

I did. She was so nice to me... always keeping me straight, and making sure I did well. I hope I did the same for her, but even so. [ he sighs. ] I miss her.

That sounds like her.

[ Keeping people straight? That might as well be Makoto's speciality. Minako has never known anyone who looked out more consistently for her friends than that girl - and she can only imagine Makoto did that even more for the person she liked. ]

But.. [ Minako's voice trails off. Usually she's a little more direct, but she's not too sure with Naoto. Considering their previous interactions, she really wasn't even sure if the other really liked her or merely tolerated her, so she doesn't want to push too hard here. She doesn't want to just annoy him or make him feel worse. ]

Even though it hurts a lot, and even though I know no one can replace someone else.. You're still not alone here in this city.

[ Even if he's experiencing loss and hurt.

That doesn't mean he has to be lost. Or alone. ]

A guy like you has to have plenty of friends, right..?

[ the hesitation is something naoto notices, but doesn't point out. it's obvious that he may have been a little too harsh towards her, and it's showing in her approach. it makes him want to be nicer to her-- maybe he's been a bit too prickly, even to those he does consider friends.

man, he might as well be a cactus at this point. he winces at all this introspection. minako's statement about friends really drives that feeling into his chest. he laughs weakly before speaking. ]

No, I'm pretty small on the friends department. [ mostly because he's a very awkward teenager. ] But yeah. I have you and some of my other friends to go to, yeah?

[ Pretty small?

Minako wonders if it contributes to him feeling so lost. Not that the pain of losing someone you love in that way wouldn't hurt all the same, but most people would feel like they at least have some people to fall back onto..

.. rather than sitting here by themselves. Oh no, is that why he was all alone? ]

Of course! That's why you should've gone to one of your friends right away!

[ Is this hypocritical? Yes, but it won't stop her from saying it. ]

If you had showed up at our doorstep, I would've let you in and tried to comfort you, you know? I'd be a little surprised you picked my doorstep to show up on, sure, but.. it's not like I'd leave you out in the cold, especially when you're hurt.

[Dust double-checks quests for any mention of fighting or suchforth. He may have a preference for his quest choices, as it happens.]

That'd help. Two of us can cover more terrain and more angles.

[Honestly, Kratos looks a little bit relieved. That had gone a lot more smoothly than he'd expected it to, he was almost certain that he was going to say something stupid or unintentionally offensive, but nah. It seems to have gone well.

He gives Naoto a quick nod, and none too subtly pushes that glass of water closer to him.]

It is, and I appreciate it. Now, make sure you finish this water. You don't want to wake up with a hangover.

[Your dad friend wants you to take care of yourself, Naoto.]

october catch all | don't call me 'honey'

café | quintessential fall drinks!

quest | don't lose your head

moment | trying to move on

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