isleofavalon | Housewarming Party.. sort of!

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Housewarming Party.. sort of!

🧙 WHO: Anyone who has CR with Riou, or people wandering by
⚔️️ WHAT: Since everything's started to melt, Riou was able to find a sustainable camping location he liked.
🕒 WHEN: Mid-March
🗺️ WHERE: Shore outside of Camelot, Broceliande side.
⚠️ WARNINGS: This man is a survivor and exotic chef, so hunting and eating food outside of Western societal norms may be discussed at any point.

[ Riou hadn't made a huge affair out of moving out of the inn. He was used to handling things on his own, and as such, hadn't felt the need to ask anyone to help. Most people wouldn't have any idea how to set up a full-fledged livable camp anyway, so it wouldn't have done him much good.

But once his campsite is set up and he feels comfortable, Riou sends out a text to anyone whose contact info he has and says that he is having a housewarming party at 5pm the next day and attaches a map to the message.

In addition to the main site, there will be a fold-out table that has food Riou made for everyone: stew with an unknown protein, fresh-squeezed juice, a carafe with fresh coffee, and some kind of skewered meat. There's also a green cooler with lots of beer cans in it. It's all delicious, but it's better not to know what is in it. Anyone who brought something may put it on the table, there's space.

At the lake itself, there are some fishing rods and a net set near the edge, along with a couple of camping chairs. Riou hasn't had time to make his own yet, so please enjoy the soft mesh seats. To decorate, Riou has hung some fresh flowers that he's harvested from the laundry clothesline and along the barbed wire fence. If it gets dark, there are a number of lanterns to keep the place lit. He has intentionally not set up his traps yet so that no one gets hurt, but there is a wire surrounding the camp that will ring bells if tripped so that no predators ambush the campsite without alerting Riou, so please be cautious if you leave the camp area. ]

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[While Hijikata was standing around with his basket like a flower girl in the marketplace his thoughts raced through so many more possible scenarios... what if the other MTC members are sleeping over at the camp (never mind that they probably prefer sleeping in a proper bed), what if instead of coming to check on the wire Riou will activate a trap of some sort (he's always so over-the-top, he might just do that!), what if Riou thinks he's stalking him (he's not a stalker, he's not!)?

And then he feels the gun muzzle press against the back of his neck. Riou is amazingly quiet, practically like a ninja; Hijikata respects that. But that's where his admiration ends for the moment as he goes straight back into countryside bastard samurai mode, because why the hell does this soldier have to be so insanely paranoid?! Talk about overkill!]

It's me! Hiji-- Toshirou!

[He'd put his arms up, but the basket makes it awkward, so he just stays as he is.]

Do you greet everyone like this?! I thought you had a party tonight?! You invited me! So I'm a little late, but I got held up!

[He's super late, and he's creeping around, and he made a beyond sketchy first impression the last time, so Riou has cause to be extra wary of him, but disregarding all these valid arguments, who holds a visitor bringing flowers at gunpoint?! Sure, the flowers have gloomy-ass meanings for the most part, but Hijikata doesn't actually expect Riou to have gotten into the whole symbolism hype, so that part of the apology present is for himself moreso than for the recipient. He's trying really hard to get over what happened between him and the other timeline's Riou on Prismatica, okay!]

[ He lowers the weapon once he identifies himself, but it's still with suspicion. He hasn't forgotten their last encounter. While the overall experience left Riou with the satisfaction of completing a mission as intended, many of the things Hijikata told him did not add up. It left him suspicious, and even moreso now that he's approached in the dead of night without warning. ]

I invited you to the party, which is long since over. A soldier should have been prompt.

[ That's more like a scolding than a doubt, though. If there's one thing he's certain of it's that Hijikata is a soldier, which is points in his favor. He couldn't fake that cave illusion. He also can't see very well, since he is only human after all, so he has no idea what's in the basket. ]

Approach the camp slowly and place your possessions on the ground. I want your hands in the air while I turn on the lights.

Stop treating me like a soldier in your army! I'm the Shinsengumi's vice commander! We do things differently back home!

[Which totally just sounds like the Shinsengumi is a bunch of thugs whose leadership is fine with irregular behaviour like visiting people in the middle of the night (and probably trespassing in the process), but he's irritated at being treated like a potential enemy. On a rational level he knows that he can hardly blame Riou for that, but his indignation overrides his reason at the moment. Regardless, he follows the instructions, walks towards the camp and, once inside, sets his basket down. Instead of lifting his arms, though, he crosses them over his chest in petty defiance.]

I wanted to bring a present, and making it too me longer than expected.

[Sure, Riou never asked for a present, but at least it explains Hijikata's late arrival (only not really because he could have made it just in time if he hadn't started overthinking it, but Riou doesn't know that). His sword is still at his belt, but only because he doesn't even think of the possibility that Riou might want him to put it down as well.]

Navy.

[ Not the army, but regardless, he doesn't think that any military outfit can function without timeliness. Laying in on that doesn't seem necessary as the man is cooperating, however. ]

What is the gift for? Answer honestly.

[ Once they're in the light, Riou moves to remove the sword himself without removing his gun. He does not trust Hijikata, and the idea of him coming after the party, after it was known that he would've been drinking and making himself more vulnerable with friends is unnerving. ]

You are from a different universe than Mad Trigger Crew exists. Do not attempt to lie again.

[ He's brawns and brain, Hijikata. It's the social part he suffers a little. ]

You're from the navy?!

[What the hell, why didn't he know this! He really doesn't know jackshit about Riou other than that he has a nice ass!! Once Riou reaches for the sword Hijikata firmly grabs his wrist and uses the other hand to untie the cord that binds the sheath to his belt before handing the whole sword over (if Riou doesn't throw him over his shoulder or something upon being touched). He'll respond to the question regardless (he's used to being rough-handled).]

The gift is to make up for the shitshow at that goddamn cave. I know I was a pain in the ass to deal with for you and acted like a moron.

[Honestly, Riou's concerns haven't been on Hijikata's radar at the slightest. He's only been thinking about his own vulnerability here! As far as lacking social skills go they're two peas in a pod. Prismatica sure made things easier for people like them... well, no such luck here on Avalon. Hijikata doesn't immediately acknowledge Riou's last remark, but he tries to come up with an explanation in his head in case he presses him about it.]

Further evidence of your deception. The fact that I am Navy is in multiple MTC lyrics.

[ Riou allows him to remove the weapon himself, but keeps an eye on him as he does, and takes before lowering his own weapon to allow Hijikata to turn around. His eyes do at least finally fall on the basket, though he's still unsure if he wants to accept it. It's challenging, accepting a gift from someone like Hijikata... ]

I am less concerned with your performance at the cave than I am with your falsehoods regarding how we know each other. All of that I can forgive as despite your behavior, the mission was completed. However, I do not feel safe with someone who has attempted to deceive me sneaking into my tent after hours at a time when it could be safely assumed I would have consumed alcohol and behave more vulnerably.

[Wow, Hijikata just keeps digging this hole deeper by the minute, doesn't he? So much for the last shreds of credibility his claim of being an MTC fan might have had! His bristling indignation finally gets subdued as Riou clearly lays out the reasons for his suspicion. His calm and honest explanation leaves Hijikata no justification to continue arguing.]

...

[He came here tonight to close this chapter, right? He should stop being sentimental and clinging to something that the Riou standing in front of him can't give him back. It was inappropriate for Hijikata to get this overinvested in the first place. Everybody has to moonlace to survive on Prismatica. He shouldn't act like what he had with Riou was meaningful.]

I'm sorry. I didn't take that into consideration. I'll go and leave you alone. I really just wanted to apologise for the hassle.

I want an explanation.

[ Riou says it in almost and act of stubbornness. He is obedient to a fault with some people, people he is loyal to, unless he has already decided his mission. He has a lot of questions and hijikata has come to frustrate him in ways beyond self defense. Riou's not the type to leave something alone. ]

My presence would not have been a comfort in that cave if you did not already know I was capable of offering the support you asked, and you do not look at me as an enemy despite multiple acts of offense-based defense. You can be honest with me now and save yourself the hassle or you can wait for me to discover the truth on my own.

[ Then maybe he'll think about the apology... And maybe Riou will be the one to apologize next time, but right now, he doesn't think so. ]

[Damn it. Of course he isn't being let off the hook so easily... and he just handed his sword over, so he'd have to fight Riou over it first before booking it out of here, and even then it would simply be an ill-advised move. They're on an island, so all it would do is make their next run-in all the more awkward.

He takes a long moment to think of any other loopholes he might have left, but he has exhausted his list of excuses, and Riou is too sharp to not notice any more lies he might try to feed him. He has to tell him the truth.]

...

This is going to sound really far-fetched, but I met you in what might be an alternative timeline for you, in a similar situation as we're in right now - only that it wasn't a matter of the multiverse being frozen, but rather one of the world we all got summoned to needing support from outside. I don't know if that's only going to happen to you later on, once we're resolved the current situation, or if it's two completely divergent timelines.

[The latter seems more likely, and it would align with the theory the other timeline's Riou and Jyuto came up with and which Riou told him about when they went on an expedition outside Lunatia. Hijikata didn't want to subsribe to it, and the reason is pretty evident now: he struggles with the concept of there being different versions of people who have no recollections of each other's memories.]

[ Riou listens to him, staying on guard for a couple of moments after he finishes his explanation. It's so absurd that he decides it's unlikely to be a lie this time. At the very least, it's an explanation consistent with what previous explanations didn't account for.

He holds Hijikata's sword back out to him, at least, but he has at least one more question. ]

What was our relationship there? [ That's the one thing he's still having trouble comprehending. ] You seem agitated that I have not considered you a friendly presence and have been putting effort in, but on multiple occasions you have proven you are not familiar with basic information about me.

[He takes the sword, relieved that Riou apparently believes him enough to let him go, and sticks it back in his belt. Thank goodness he can easily avoid giving all the information in response to the next question (though he does note once again how damn observant Riou is, having noticed little nuances in Hijikata's mood).]

We were just acquaintances.

[Saying that hurts a little, but isn't it true? He really knows next to nothing about Riou. Sure, they moonlaced every time they met, but again, that was just par for the course.]

I first met you when I attended a friendly rap battle between MTC and Fling Posse. You guys won! I wasn't lying when I said I was a fan, you really impressed me. It's just that I haven't been able to listen to any of your other material. Anyway, there was an afterparty backstage - Samatoki ordered beer and chicken -, and I just wanted to check if anyone needed medical attention. I mean, those rap battles are no walk in the park - well, I don't need to tell you that.

[He's rambling a little, but there's also a smile on his face. It's a happy memory. He's really glad he followed Samatoki's invitation despite how they butted heads every time they met.]

So we got talking there, and a few months later you took me out into the wilderness to collect some plant and animal specimen for the greenhouse you'd built - it was really impressive, like a jungle in the city! I think you'd been transported to that world a little before me, so you were there for maybe a year before they established a way for everyone to go home, I'd estimate. It's called Prismatica. There's at least one more person here who's from the same timeline and also remembers it; he can back up what I'm saying. He's called Noiz, if you know him.

[Distrustful as Riou is he may suspect that Noiz is in cahoots with Hijikata, but as a matter of fact chances are he'd rather troll Hijikata by playing dumb if he knew that he recommended him as a witness. Or maybe not. Hijikata always found it terribly hard to get a read on Noiz.]

Edited 2021-04-02 17:25 (UTC)

[ Considering Noiz and Riou didn't really get along back in Prismatica, it could be a disastrous encounter for either Hijikata or Riou for him to approach the man. But this Riou doesn't know that. But it is an option. At the very least, it may give him a lead to someone else who he may suspect less of being a friend of Hijikata who is willing to vouch for whatever story he cops to.

In this case, the story seems harmless, however, even if he's still not sure it accounts for Hijikata's offense at Riou's lack of acceptance.

They seem to have one thing in common regardless, and Riou wishes he could have heard the battle against Fling Posse. He's sure it would've been amazing and a high-intensity battle. If that one song had gotten Hijikata into him, perhaps they could start from a slightly different point. ]

I will see if Jyuto, Samatoki, and I can gather more music. It may be useful to get a base understanding of who we are outside of that battle. Next time you wish to visit, do so during the day hours.

[ That is to say, he won't turn him away. It's an attempt at a friendly gesture. ]

Why would I build a greenhouse instead of living in the wilderness?

[ He's got a genuine curiosity about that one... ]

Edited 2021-04-19 08:42 (UTC)

[He eagerly nods at the offer of more music, even though he doesn't feel like he actually needs to know more about the other members of MTC. He clashed with Samatoki often enough to think he has a decent handle on his personality, and while he never pressed him about the clearly sensitive topic he also gathered that he's worried for his missing sister. Jyuto, meanwhile... the sense Hijikata got of him was that of a cool, aloof person, and since he generally doesn't mesh well with that type he never approached him. But of course he may have misjudged him.

He tells Riou none of that, though. As a matter of fact it's far preferably if he takes Hijikata for a groupie for MTC as a whole; that'll take the whole personal aspect out of the matter. He's mildly surprised (and happy, very happy) to be invited back to Riou's camp, but manages to not show any excitement over it. He'll just focus on his question.]

Prismatica was largely uninhabitable until we managed to fully restore it. Most continents were completely encased in crystal as a result of a big calamity long ago, and in addition there were noxious gases in the atmosphere, and dangerous creatures in the halfway livable habitats. You'd regularly go out of the hospitable zone to explore, but due to the health risks you always had to return after a few days.

...

[He weighs the risks and benefits of showing Riou the portal-opening crystal that has become one of his most treasured possessions and, following his gut instinct moreso than his logical conclusion, pulls the simple necklace out from under his shirt.]

Please don't rub it, but this is the catalyst to open a pathway back there. Of course I can't use it now since Prismatica's bound to be frozen like all the other worlds, but I hope you believe me. Once this is all over I can perhaps take you there, if you want to see it.

[Unless the two Rious meeting by chance would cause a massive paradox in space-time or something... but it'll likely be a long time until then anyway. They still have a lot of work to do. It feels like Avalon has barely begun to reveal its many wonders to the new arrivals.]

[ There's no proof of anything that Hijikata is saying right now, but Riou is more inclined to believe him. It matches with what he's been told, and he can no longer find obvious flaws in the story. Besides, as far as lies go, it would be a very bizarre one to tell.

He does frown though as he examines (but carefully doesn't touch) the crystal. It certainly looks different than anything he's seen on this planet or his own. This place the crystal comes from is in such dire straits though... how unfortunate. He can't imagine the version of him apparently from there (or he, if his memories are simply missing) would have been happy, being forced inside for all that time. It's giving him a mild anxiety just thinking about it. ]

Provided there is a way back, I would like to see it. I cannot abandon Samatoki and Jyuto, however.

[ SO it would only be a temporary trip, for certain. ]

[If Hijikata ever does get to take Riou to Prismatica in the diffuse future Riou will be pleasantly surprised to find the whole planet restored to lush, colourful, crystalline health. Hijikata can't help but crack a smile at his response, after all he knows too well what it's like to be part of a trio, what with him, Kondou and Okita having been joined at the hip for roundabout a decade now.]

Of course. If it makes you feel better, they were there with you, too. I mean, with the other timeline's Riou.

["Were" because Hijikata has no idea if they permanently went back to their own world after the restoration, or if they stayed, or if they did what he did and went home but visited frequently. He slips the crystal back under his shirt. Telling Riou the truth (or, well, most of the truth) took a surprisingly heavy weight off his shoulders. It's goddamn late, though, and Riou is probably struggling to stay awake after partying earlier.]

I'll happily tell you more, but you should probably get some sleep first. Again, sorry for coming by so late! It really took me so long to replant the flowers.

[He glances at them, realising that they send a wrong message now. His silence turned into a whole-ass revelation, and his resignation into new hope to maybe still be able to connect with Riou. His remembrance and gratitude, though, are unchanged, so it sure is a good thing he chose the carnations, gladiolus and hydrangea.]

[ Being a soldier, he at least knows not to show that he's tired whether he is or isn't. Especially around someone who's got him so alert like Hijikata does. But at the very least, he's no longer on edge about Hijikata. Whether that's the whole truth or not, it's more truth than he had before. He wishes that Hijikata had told him as much in the first place so that he could have had more piece of mind to begin with. He still wants to verify, of course. ]

Send me a message next time you are free. I will make dinner and we can speak more freely.

[ He won't deny that he wants sleep. Riou usually has a very strict schedule he keeps to whenever it isn't interrupted. ]

[Did Riou just invite him for dinner?! Wait, he shouldn't feel so stupidly happy about that; Riou is simply a hospitable person. Get a grip, Toshirou. He tries not to look disproportionally happy as he gives Riou a little bow of the head.]

That sounds like a plan. I'll let you know.

[Okay, that sounded neutral enough, right? Ugh, really... he needs to do something about the remnants of Prismatica impulses still hardwired into his brain. That's what this is, right? At the very least it's dark enough that the night might conceal his uncalled-for excitement, so he doesn't lose any more time in leaving the camp. Now to see when his busy days will let up enough that he can cash in that invitation...]

[ He's a hospitable person, but he's not going to invite enemies to his table. (Not active ones anyway.) ]

Do you know your way back in the dark?

[ They're not like.. super close to the city, after all. Riou wasn't about to pick a place it still sounded like he was in a city, anyway, even if it was visible in the distance so Mad Trigger Crew didn't have to travel far to reach his base. ]

[He stops and looks back at Riou. Is he worried about him? How endearing. But no, no, Riou is just a responsible person. God, he really needs to stop thinking everything is personal.]

Yeah, I'll be fine. I've got fire magic.

[Never mind that a light source doesn't automatically bring orientation... and that's without taking into account that his magic is messed up and pretty much 90% dysfunctional due to his refusal to stay out of the sun after the incident with the wishes last month. Still, he wants Riou to get some sleep, and he himself needs some time to process what's going on with him and what to do about it. He may end up getting lost and wandering around until morning comes, but it's not like he has a schedule to adhere to, and he really does have a lot of ruminating to do.]

[ It's true. Riou isn't the type of person who would let anyone wander off into the dark without at least checking. In general, he's concerned about Hijikata for various reasons, but he's not quite at a point where it could be called caring yet. ]

Until next time, then.

[ He will watch to make sure he actually leaves though. ]

Until then!

[He leaves alright! Once out of the camp's perimeters he lights himself a cigarette (using his novelty lighter, not wanting to risk getting covered in soot by his haywire magic again). He rarely every gets a moment of rest, so the long walk home will indeed provide him with a good opportunity to review his time on Prismatica, the different relationships he built and, in part, lost again, and the few reunions (if he can call them that, what with the timeline-crossing) here on Avalon.]

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Housewarming Party.. sort of!

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