isleofavalon | (closed.) december catch-all

[ There's just something so charming about this quest. It's more or less an excuse to play in the snow - and Tsumugi may very much be a responsible adult, but he's youthful enough to find joy in this.

At first, he wasn't sure who to invite to do this with him. (building by himself is always an option, but why not have company?) But when he reads the theme given to him - "A Place to Invent" - well. One person in particular comes to mind.

He turns to Mary with a smile that's nearly as warm as the cup of coffee he's currently holding in his hands. ] How do you think we should start?

[ Tsumugi's not sure who set this up, but he'd like to thank that person for their ingenuity.

One of the quests this month (cutely named "Avalon Crossing: Snowy Shack Paradise" by the QuestBoard app) involves leaving a snowball outside your home and receiving a building (or, well, snow sculpting) request in return. Naturally, with many people still living at the inn, there's a lot of snowballs outside and therefore a lot of requests to fulfill. So a table's been set up just outside the inn, full of all the rocks and craft materials one could ask for. ... in limited numbers. This isn't a perfect world with endless hot glue guns.

Tsumugi's not sure what exactly he's making yet - something to do with a gym? - but maybe if he thinks of what Tasuku would like, that'll help him. So he reaches to grab one of the few hot glue guns, intent on trying (with a lot of emphasis on trying) to make a soccer goal of sorts... only to find his hand brushing against someone else's, as they reach for the exact same gun.

He pulls his hand back and is quick to offer an apology. ] I'm sorry. You can use it first.

[ Riza's admittedly not entirely sure what possessed her to do this particular quest. Logically, she chose it to see what exactly the whole thing was about. Description aside, she's not sure what she expected of it either. Indeed, the snowball had been replaced, and now she was supposed to do arts and crafts. Had she ever done arts and crafts before? It's busywork, at least, and one thing she can always appreciate is something to do with her hands...

... Even if that something is an oddly requested "otherworldly fashionista condominium — no pink allowed!" puzzled her. Or the chaos that is one of the meeting rooms of the inn, ground littered with paper and sparkles. It's almost enough to have her go back to her room and figure something else out, but Riza prides herself in her own ability to be stubborn.

She's somewhere halfway between finishing a checkered flooring design and a brown chair when someone bumps her. Frowning in their direction, she moved, didn't see anyone else aiming for the same equipment and moved to grab the gun when —

Nope.

She released a breath, what could be mild annoyance, as she glanced up from beneath her fringe to the young man. Giving a slight nod of thanks before she picked it up, pressed the few dots down to put the flooring down, and offered it back to him. ]

Thank you, you may have it now.

[ Someone else steps over, bumps into her back, she turns to stare at them — exasperation clear. She repressed another sigh when she offered Tsumugi a quirk of an ill-humored smile: ] Is it always this chaotic?

[The 'over art supplies' goes unsaid.]

[ Tsumugi takes the hot glue gun with a smile and nod of gratitude. ] Thank you. [ ... oh, maybe he can try and make ropes with the glue? That could work.

As something that maybe sorta kinda looks like a soccer goal begins taking shape in his hand (arts and crafts is not his specialty, not by a long shot), he laughs sheepishly. ] In some ways? Though I wasn't- oh, sorry. [ He offers an apology as someone bumps into him. ] I wasn't expecting there to be so many people.

[ Which, speaking of that... he looks around the very crowded meeting space before pointing toward a corner. ] It looks like there's more room over there, though.

[ The woman nods as a means of saying you're welcome, amber eyes focusing on her own strange snowball. It's so silly to be sitting here working on it and yet, here she was. Doing something that was decidedly not something she would normally do...

... She couldn't deny that there was something relaxing in it, and in keeping her hands busy. Even if the crowded room is more than she bargained for. ]

Well... It is sort of a festivity in itself. People enjoy being able to put energy into something.

[ Especially when it's well-advertised and offers money — she almost forgot the latter one. She tilts her head in the direction the young man pointed and glances back down the table. A new group, large and loud, have entered the room and she released a shy. ] — I think I'll go over there, actually. What do you think?

[ It's an invitation. ]

[ Oh! ]

That sounds good to me. [ So, without further ado, he makes his way through the crowded room to the spot she suggested.

Once able to do so without disturbing anyone else, he lets out a little sigh, shoulders sagging with relief. ] Whew...

[ His attention then turns to Riza - or, more specifically, the little vacation home she's working on. With less people around them, it's much easier to see what they're both creating. And of course he didn't think that all these snow spirits were total jocks, but, ] I'm curious... what theme did you get?

[ Resituating themselves at the other table there's finally enough room to breathe, even if the room is just as loud as it was behavior. She knows how to tune that out and focus, all the same.

She glances over at the young man's remark, expression bemused and voice wry: ] "Otherworldly Fashionista Condominumium — No Pink Allowed".

[ If she managed to sound as perplexed as she felt she didn't mind. A breath as she glanced between the pair of snowglobes: ] What about yourself?

[ ... ah. That sure is a theme. It's really no surprise that she's perplexed - he is, too, just thinking about what that could possibly mean. ]

Mine's "My Dream Gym". [ Which might seem like a bad fit, given how, um... unathletic he looks. And he confirms as such, as he stares down at the miniature soccer gear and weights he's managed to clumsily piece together with perhaps a little too much glue. ] To be honest, I'm not really sure what else to add... I've just been thinking about what a friend back home would've liked.

[ Honestly, Tsumugi hadn't intended to share a room with Kazunari as long as he did. He even brought it up early on, after a few weeks had passed - was he absolutely sure he could stay? the inn rooms weren't really built for a multimedia artist and an avid gardener to live together - but kind-hearted, sweet, and caring Kazunari insisted. So when he began to think of moving out of the inn, it only felt natural to include his Avalon roommate (and now dearest friend) in the plans.

The place they end up finding is absolutely perfect in Tsumugi's eyes. He's, of course, most excited about his future garden - but with a layer of snow covering the ground, he can put that daydream aside for the moment. Besides, there's unpacking to tackle first! They don't have much between the two of them, but with the new things they've had to buy as well, there's a decent number of boxes scattered about their new living room.

Tsumugi sits on the floor and pulls a taped up box toward him. With a drag of his scissors, he breaks the seal and opens the flaps... and promptly yelps in shock as a very familiar plushie that he most definitely didn't pack sits neatly on top of his folded clothes. ] Huh?!

[Kazunari is just pleased as peaches with this development. As cramped as two guys staying in one inn room was, he really loved living with Tsumugi and was so extremely touched and happy when he was included in move out plans.

The only thing is that he still has reservations about getting the bigger of the two rooms (tsumugi is his senior! and yeah he needs room for art supplies but he's made do with small spaces before!) but Tsumugi had insisted. So for now that's just how it's gonna be.

He's moving stuff around between the rooms when he hears Tsumugi yelp from the living room and he jumps at the sound of it.] You okay?!

[Kazunari asks but then he just goes out into the living room. Thankfully Tsumugi looks fine, but...] Ooh, what's that?? It's cute!

[ ~~SEE, tasuku????? it's not just him thinking it's cute!!!!!!!!!~~

Tsumugi's surprise is twofold - first that he's able to see the Torment Doll (he's not dreaming?), then that he doesn't recognize it immediately. But wait, of course he doesn't. The only person he's ever told about that whole ordeal is Century Egg, and he's pretty sure he and Kazunari don't know each other. Outside of that, only himself, Tasuku, and Misumi know that the urban legend isn't just a spooky little story Matsukawa made up.

He still has to ask, though, to be absolutely sure: ] It's not yours?

Hmm. [Kazunari leans in for a closer look and then snaps back straight.] Nope! Don't know her!

[It looks too big to be something Mogget would have dragged into their room, too.] Did one of your friends sneak it in? Like a gift?

[A housewarming gift! Sounds like something he would do, to be honest, so it is not at all a weird suggestion. What are you talking about.]

I don't think so. [ Most of his friends aren't like you, Kazunari. And besides, ] But I do recognize it.

[ He reaches into the box and pulls out the Torment Doll to inspect it more closely. Sure, he didn't have it for long, but there didn't seem to be a stitch out of place. It's uncanny, really. To think it'd show up here of all places... and what does this mean?

Well, whatever it is, Tsumugi knows he can't keep this all in his head. The doll appeared for him and Tasuku because, among other issues, they weren't able to communicate with each other. He has to tell Kazunari the truth. But how does he bring this up with someone who never experienced the same things his troupe did? ]

... Um. Do you remember Mankai's urban legends? [ Like that? ]

Like Sumi!

[Of course he remembers the tales Matsukawa used to weave but Misumi haunting room room 203 is by far the most memorable and his favorite.

But wait.]

What's that got to do with this thing??

[Mankai urban legends stay in Mankai, right????]

[ ... huh. He supposes that could explain how Misumi knew exactly what was going on with the Torment Doll. But then that begs the question of who or what is Misumi.

Ah, well. That's not a concern at the moment. ]

This is the Torment Doll. [ And, in case Kazunari doesn't remember how that tale goes: ] It's supposed to only appear when there's an unresolved problem between two people.

[Ooh, yup, Kazunari remembers that tale. Though this is not at all what he expected the doll to look like. He was expecting something creepier. Like you catch a glimpse of some knock off Annabelle doll in the corner of the room and you know you've messed up.]

Huh! Then why would it be here?

[Who's got an unresolved problem? Did Umi and Fuyu have some beef?]

[Wait.]

[WAIT.

Tsumugi's been super kind and tolerant of Kazunari - enough to even consider living with him outside of their tiny inn room. But Kazunari isn't completely oblivious to the way he can grate on peoples' nerves.

And another thing he knows is that Tsumugi is... way, way too nice.]

Um, did I maybe do something wrong?

Edited (i'm sorry and also i'm stupid) 2022-01-10 03:27 (UTC)

- Eh? [ Tsumugi blinks, then shakes his head quickly. ] No! Of course not. You haven't done anything wrong, Kazu-kun.

[ He can't fault him for drawing that conclusion because, in a way, it could make sense. Kazunari has a much stronger personality than him, and he is a bit of a push-over. But he knows beyond a shadow of the doubt that he at least doesn't have a single issue with Kazunari. They've been good friends this entire time, right? ]

Is... there anything you want to talk about, though?

[ ... right? ]

[Similarly, Kazunari shakes his head quickly.] Tsumutsumu is a legit angel!

[A pause.]

I mean, in all seriousness, I thought we were doing a good job communicating our wants and needs. Are you sure there's nothing?

[Pleading emoji, pleading emoji, pleading emoji.]

[ Pleading emoji...!!! ]

I'm sure. [ And yet the Torment Doll is here, a small but present weight in his hands. ] And you're sure, too, right?

[ ~~maybe umi and fuyu really do have beef???!?!~~ ]

Mmm! One hundred percent.

[There are other stupid suggestions he could make. Like, maybe Fuyu is mad at him for taking up so much of Tsumugi's time now. Or the same concept with Umi to Tsumugi. But he doesn't have the heart to voice them. He's still genuinely concerned.]

Maybe it's just a mistake? Or, ummm...

Hmm... Maybe you're right. [ There's nothing suggesting this is a fluke, but there's also nothing ruling out that possibility.

He holds the doll at arms length, staring into its little eyes briefly, as though the answer's hidden in them. ] In any case, if we wake up back at the inn tomorrow, we'll know it's real. That's how it worked with Tasuku and me.

[ It's a sheer coincidence that Tsumugi finds himself taking what's supposed to be a relaxing evening stroll through the park. In truth, he's been a little tired recently, between his multiple jobs and the move. But the house he shares with Kazunari is finally starting to feel like one. Their living room is more or less put together, and he's begun assembling the cute little plant shelves for his bedroom. (yes, he has a garden now, but succulents.) So, with all that progress made, he can finally breathe a little.

His lungs fill with crisp and cool December air as, literally, he breathes - and then he gasps as, a little ways away from him, a figure slumped against the ground comes into view. It's hard to tell right away who it is exactly, but that hardly matters. He's quick to move to the person's side, kneeling next to them to get a better look at their general state. ] Are you alright? What happened? [ His mind races. Do they need medical attention? Should he call Mary? It's late, but if he explains the situation maybe she can open up her clinic for them. But if they need to be carried, he can't manage that on his own... ]

[Ichiro hurts. The bindings Rei had summoned had bound him all too tight and his words, while not as painful as what he'd experienced in the DRB, had done a number on him too. And he's exhausted. He'd intended to get out of the park as soon as possible but that just wasn't going to happen when his body was still recovering from the hex.

So he is slumped against the ground and, much like an injured animal, he recoils when Tsumugi approaches him. It's partly his pride too: he can't believe Rei was so much stronger than him and now someone is seeing him like this? Terrible.] I'm fine - ! I'm fine, leave me alone -

[ At first, Tsumugi recoils too, taken aback by the bite in his words. He doesn't want to leave him alone, but he doesn't want to aggravate him either... What if he hurts himself more while trying to protect himself? That wouldn't be good.

But then he realizes ]

- Ichiro-kun?

[ and he rests a gentle hand on his shoulder, resolved now to stay at least a little bit longer. ] It's me, Tsumugi. [ He means him no harm, promise. ] Are you able to stand up?

[Tsumugi's hand on his shoulder makes Ichiro look up finally. All his bite leaves him upon seeing that it is indeed a familiar face.] Tsumugi-san...

[Like an idiot, he shakes his head and the movement makes his vision swim all over again. The vertigo had been lessening in the wake of the hex sucking his strength, but it had yet to completely fade. Ichiro chooses to omit half of that fact, at least.]

I'm. A little dizzy. But I just need to wait it out, it's okay. You don't need to worry about me, Tsumugi-san.

[ It's true that he doesn't have any sort of obligation to care for Ichiro. They haven't known each other for long, and he doesn't want to be too pushy.

But still... he frowns slightly, and rises to his feet. ] At least let me get you some water... [ And before he can protest, he's off to the nearest vending machine.

When he returns not even a few minutes later, he makes a point to sit on the ground next to him. ] Here. [ accept his kindness and the water bottle dammit ]

Wait -- [But alas, Tsumugi is already gone.

When the other returns, Ichiro's posture will have changed slightly. He's no longer slumped: he's sitting up straight with his head thrown back against whatever he's leaning on. His eyes are closed, taking deep breaths through his nose and flexing his fingers at his side.]

Thanks... [He will accept the kindness and water bottle even if the kindness is not something he's totally used to yet. Ichiro chugs the water, and the cool slide of it down his throat is refreshing as if he had run a marathon and not just got his ass kicked by his dad.]

Really, you don't need to stick around. I've lived through much worse than this.

[As if that's comforting.]

[ It's not at all comforting, thanks!!!!!!! And Tsumugi makes no move to, well, move. ] Still, I'd like to keep you company, if that's okay.

[ He phrases it like he'd leave if Ichiro asked which, okay, maybe he would, but he'd be fighting an uphill battle trying to convince him. There's no issue, at least on his end, for him to sit and wait for his recovery, however long that takes.

Which, speaking of. ] Do you need anything?

No. [Ichiro is firm but not unkind.] This is more than enough.

[With that, he chugs the remainder of the water. Once it's down and he knows he won't choke, Ichiro leans his head back again.] See, I'm not even dizzy anymore.

[With his head tilted back, he can see the trees above him swaying with the wind. When he'd been face to face with Rei, the air had felt sweltering. But it's actually quite cool out. It's nice.]

What are you even doing out here this late? It's not safe.

If you're sure... [ He's doubtful, but also not very knowledgeable about this sort of thing. There's not much he can do except take him at his word until something proves his suspicions correct.

As for his question: ] I was just taking a walk. I just moved to this neighborhood not too long ago, so I wanted to take a look around.

[ He folds his hands in his lap. ] If you don't mind me asking... what brought you here? This isn't very close to the inn. [ And while he doesn't say it out loud, he could say the same thing to Ichiro. It's not safe, clearly, if he found him like this. ]

[So you better act real normal, unless you feel like explaining everything.

Rei had gotten that one right: Ichiro doesn't want to explain anything. Two people too many already know about their relationship and he'd... selfishly like to keep the people he meets here, who are wholly uninvolved, separate from the mess of home.]

I was meeting with someone. [He's pretty sure he knows what Tsumugi is thinking too.]

It's. I don't think I can talk about it right now, Tsumugi-san. I'm sorry. [He looks back at Tsumugi, truly apologetic.] But it's something that won't happen again.

[ Tsumugi only shakes his head, ] It's okay, really. I won't force you to talk about it. [ then offers an apologetic smile of his own. ] I'm sorry for prying.

[ Just having that reassurance... well, it doesn't make everything better, but it's enough for the moment. ] But will you be okay getting back to the inn? [ Not alone. Definitely not alone. The bare minimum he can do is walk him home. ]

[Ichiro squints because ??? He literally wasn't prying? But alas... ]

Yeah. [He grunts as he lifts himself off the ground to prove his point. He can't help but wince at how his joints crack when he stretches out his arms and back.] I'm gonna sleep so hard when I get home.

[Of course, Ichiro's not stupid. He knows in his gut that Tsumugi will insist on walking him home. But as he starts walking he stumbles and he knows he'll need Tsumugi to walk him home.] Ah... looks like I might still need your help getting there, though.

[ Lucky for Ichiro (or perhaps unlucky), Tsumugi sees this coming. He rises from the ground with him and is quick to move to his side when he stumbles. ]

Here... put your arm around me. [ And he'll wrap an arm around Ichiro's waist in turn.

Rather than continue in the direction he was heading, though, Tsumugi stops and turns them around. ] Why don't you spend the night at my place? It's not very far from here.

[ He asks it as a question, but he's also already beginning the walk back. ]

[To his credit, Ichiro is compliant and puts his arm around Tsumugi ready to accept his help. It's when he suggest spending the night at his place that he resists.]

I couldn't - that much isn't necessary! [He sputters, trying to think of something to save him.] Besides, don't you have a roommate?

[ While he slows down his pace, it's not because he's reconsidering his offer. Rather, it's to pull his phone out of his pocket and clumsily compose a text with one hand. ]

I'm sure he won't mind. If anything, he might find it "hype" to have someone over. [ Kazu-kun sirry for the short notice but I'm bringing a friend over to stay the nigjt. He was hurt. Sotry for tge typos. ... eh, close enough. He's sent Kazunari worse texts than this. ] So it's really no trouble.

[Hype??? Who exactly does Tsumugi live with...

But that's that, isn't it. Ichiro doesn't have any more room to argue. He sighs.]

I'll be in your care then...

[ Ichiro, don't ask questions that'll lead to playercest.

But without any fuss, Tsumugi leads them back home in no time at all. And once there, he continues to be a flurry of motion, at least by his standards. Step one is to guide Ichiro over to the couch so he can sit down once more, in case the dizziness reemerged. ]

Please, make yourself at home. [ He then immediately leaves the room, presumably to grab some things for prepare for Ichiro to spend the night. Before he gets too far, though, he calls out from elsewhere in the house: ] Would you like some tea?

[This is almost exactly what happened with Rinea too. And because of that experience, he knows to just sit an accept what happens. Ichiro takes a seat on the couch, sitting upright with his shoulders together to make himself small - as if it was possible for him to take up less space.]

Just water is okay? [Ichiro calls back, but much softer in case Kazunari is around. He doesn't want to disturb Tsumugi's housemate.] Tsumugi-san...

[ There's no confirmation that Tsumugi actually heard him, and he's out of the room for longer than it'd warrant for filling a glass of water at the sink.

But after a few minutes, he returns with exactly that - and a little extra. There's a couple blankets thrown over his shoulders, a pillow tucked under his arm, and the water held steadily in his hand.

He hands all this off with a gentle smile. ] Let me know if you need anything else, okay? [ But if there's nothing else, he'll leave him to rest. ]

[Ichiro... wants so desperately to become this kind of adult when he's older. The kindness was hard for him to accept at first, but it's nice. Warm. He wishes he'd known someone like Tsumugi when he was younger.]

Okay. Thanks again, Tsumugi-san.

[And he will rest.]

(closed.) december catch-all

❄ mary steinberg

❄ riza hawkeye

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sorry this is so late

no worries! ♥ i'm a lil slow myself lmao

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❄ kazunari miyoshi

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1/?

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4/4 I'M SORRY

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❄ ichiro yamada

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