i hate them

[deontology]

[You know, arriving back in Cerealia after he pulled the greatest stunt of his life is... a bit of a let down. He's left standing there, still sluggishly bleeding from cuts on his face and arms (thanks, Tenka), staring at the city around him with the lingering, wired tension from the climax of his plan leaving him standing straight and ready.

... There's nothing, though. Nothing to be wary of that could possibly pose a thread to him here, and slowly, he relaxes a bit, breathing out the softest of sighs as he... reaches down to tidy his uniform a bit.

Appearances matter, okay...!!

But.

Also, it's mostly because now that he's suddenly here again, he's at such loose ends as to be unsure what to do, with so much pent up energy that he's... fiddling. He's Sousei, and he doesn't fiddle, but here he is, fiddling with his gloves as he watches the city wander by.

Blood drips down his cheek.

Terrible, really.]

Comments

[defeets]

Now to say that this is the best I've seen you would be a fairly blatant lie, but....

[Jae-ha's appraisal is quick - and unasked for. Perhaps he doesn't even have a leg to stand on, given his own current state. He's rested enough to be on his own two feet, but there's definitely a bandage wrapped around his head even now. He gives an easy grin, just as seemingly casual with the entire situation as always.

Why would be be worried about showing up in Cerealia again?

It's disorienting, but plenty of things are. And at the end of the day - ]

You still manage to be a sight for sore eyes.

[deontology]

[Of course, out of all people, it would be Jae-ha who finds him first. Still... he thinks back to their conversation, the last one they'd had before Cerealia had tossed them apart as Cerealia tends to do, and...

It wasn't so bad, really.

He glances over at Jae-ha, takes in the bandage, the bruising, and hums.]

More than could be said for you, I imagine.

[Last time they'd spoken, Sousei hadn't been scarred. He hadn't had his symbolic hair cut. But Jae-ha...]

How did you manage to get pinned down to the extent that you would look like this?

[Right... to the point, apparently, jeeze, Sousei.]

[defeets]

You're not afraid to ask questions anymore?

[Sure, he can meet that point blank.

And Jae-ha still loves to talk about himself. Of course. He has no issues explaining what happened to him given the fact that it's Sousei, and Sousei is an adult, and Sousei is an adult who knows the world sucks and sometimes bad shit happens.

But before that.

A grin curls on Jae-ha's lips.

He must be feeling well enough.]

Or are you finally admitting you're interested in me, my friend?

[deontology]

[That... is so like Jae-ha that it gets a huffed breath of amusement out of Sousei (oh whoa), and a plain quirk of an eyebrow.]

I am interested in knowing your condition, and what could have caused it. If you wish to take that incorrectly, that is not my concern.

[He....sounds as stiff as ever, but he seems to have loosened up a bit!]

[defeets]

Oh but I doubt I'd be incorrect.

[ . . .

But.]

I'll trade you in exchange for what finally dislodged the tree branch from up your ass.

[deontology]

[... Sousei definitely just stares at Jae-ha for a moment, before he shakes his head and sighs.]

Very well then. It's a deal.

[Just... rolling with that, apparently. He's also going to start to walk, though, so... off they go?]

[defeets]

[In that moment, Jae-ha laughs. Because of course he does. It's an easy sound despite his state and he follows along, looking for a familiar spot.

And upon finding the bar of their last conversation, his fingers curl around Sousei's elbow and give a light pull.]

This one! For old time's sake.

[Tactile and whimsical as ever, apparently.]

[deontology]

[... Of course Jae-ha remembers the bar where they had that chat. Sousei can barely remember what it looked like, but that seems like the sort of pointless detail Jae-ha would hold onto.

He snorts, but follows anyway, and doesn't bother jerking his arm away.

He does, however, grab a napkin as soon as they're properly inside and seated at the bar, because the sensation of dripping blood is annoying.]

[defeets]

[Jae-ha's been to plenty of places - but it's worth remembering the ones that count. He lets go of Sousei once they're in the bar and - finding that no one is manning the actual alcohol itself, he easily helps himself to behind the counter to mix them drinks.

What time is it, does it matter, etc.]

And just when I was thinking the rugged look was starting to suit you...

[jae-ha please]

There's likely a first aid kit back here somewhere.

[he'll look for it.....]

[deontology]

It is disgusting and unsanitary.

[Jae-ha pls.]

But I am otherwise not particularly injured. [Still, he won't argue the first aid kit, mostly because--] What is the state of your own injuries? Properly, and without downplaying them.

[defeets]

Bossy....

[And he'll huff about it a bit, just because - ] It's been a while, but I guess I can remind you again that you're not the captain that I answer to.

[That said, he'd agree to an exchange. He's just taking an issue with the tone, because of course he is.]

Head injury, had some other injuries, but they've healed up well enough since what caused them. There's few things in the world that a proper hot springs bath can't fix, after all.

[deontology]

[Sousei's always been demanding and always will be demanding, so. Sorry, Jae-ha, not sorry.

He seems pretty casual about that huff, though, just making a quiet noise, almost amused, in the back of his throat.]

Nor do I wish you to answer to me. You would be a troublesome subordinate.

[Yep.]

... But very well then. You are not particularly delicate, so I will take your word on that.

[defeets]

I guess that's one way of saying you wouldn't be able to handle me, delicate or not.

[ - not that Jae-ha makes himself easy to handle or anything!!

Regardless he'll find the first aid kit before mixing them any drinks, pulling it out from where it was likely kept in case of broken glass mishaps or something like that. He'll push it over to Sousei, trusting that he knows how to use it.]

[deontology]

Hm. I wonder about that.

[Oh, he can handle you, Jae-ha...........

But anyway, yeah, he's never used a first aid kit in his life--

Okay, no, Sousei very willingly accepts that, taking out some of the antibacterial wipes to at least make sure he doesn't get an infection on his beautiful face. That'd be a shame.

But, hey, he'll offer up a surprisingly casual:]

Thank you.

[He really has chilled out.]

[defeets]

[ . . . . . . . . . . . . .

that was simultaneously really promising but also really weird]

Abe no... Sousei, yes?

[or like

a twin brother

a chiller still hot twin brother]

[deontology]

[Sousei just neatly folds the bloodied wipes before standing to find a trash to properly dispose them in.

And.

Frankly:]

That is my name, yes. And you are Jae-ha, the irritating Green Dragon.

[1/2]

[defeets]

Almost. Beautiful Green Dragon.

[just saying]

[defeets]

[ANYWAY, Jae-ha can't hide the tone of disbelief in his laughter - ]

You're different.

Why is that?

[deontology]

... Hm.

[Sousei's quiet for a moment as he retakes his seat, expression contemplative. He can't deny that he's different--that he has changed a fair bit.

By his own choice, at that.]

I suppose I did agree to an exchange of information. [You guys are just catching up, chill, Sousei.]

As for why I am different...

I suppose that is simply a matter of having finally found the role I am supposed to accomplish.

[Betraying the fuck out of the army and government, i guess.]

[defeets]

Ooh, a higher calling for the stiff captain? Dare I ask what?

[That sounds like an interesting story - Jae-ha is casual as he helps himself to the alcohol now. He lifts up a bottle of sake for Sousei's appraisal.]

Now are your tastes here still the same, even if all else has changed?

[deontology]

[Bleh. Sousei makes a face at that, shaking his head immediately.]

"A higher calling" is far too grand a title for treason.

[For the record.

On that note--]

Though sake is fine, yes. It is not as though I have become an entirely different person.

[1/2]

[defeets]

[treason should not be as fucking hot as it is

this man is illegal

in more ways than one]

[defeets]

[anyway he'll pour his damn sake!!!!!]

You make a face but you're the one who committed it? Is it because you don't want to accept being grand, or because you're a hypocrite?

[deontology]

[What's with that face, Jae-ha........ Sousei just quirks an eyebrow at that, and without hesitation:]

There is nothing grand about what I've done, but I certainly do not regret it.

[He's just weirdly humble--the whole "heroes from the shadows" thing stuck with him intensely.]

The government was rotting from within, the army used as a tool for injustice and further cruelty.

[He shrugs, a gesture that says "what'll you do?". Treason, apparently.]

Such a thing had to be stopped.

[defeets]

[ . . . . Sousei had to have seen this coming.

He had to.]

So would you call yourself -

A rebel?

[It was a point of contention between the two of them before, and you can't expect Jae-ha to just let a thing like that go.]

[deontology]

.... Hm.

[Sousei just makes a contemplative noise at that, considering it.]

Perhaps, for a time, that is exactly what I was.

[Oh.]

Though I will return to my proper duties to the government in time, now that I have torn from it what was rotting, and exposed it for everyone to see.

[Jesus Sousei.]

[defeets]

[ . . . ahaha.

Jae-ha seems to pause at that, resting his chin in his hands as a memory returns to him. A group of civilians who became pirates for the sake of protecting what mattered to them, their livelihoods and their families and their homes. Then once the battle was done, they would hang up their swords and their spears and wake up fishermen.

The noise that escapes him is a laugh, though his smugness seems to have disappeared from it, one way or another.]

How awful.

And here I thought we almost had something in common.

[He's so terribly dishonest sometimes.]

[deontology]

[He's incredibly dishonest. Sousei just tilts his head idly, lifting the sake properly to take a sip, expression unbothered.]

We already have too much in common for my tastes. [Some of the tsun remains, even if he's way more laid back now.]

Do not get greedy.

[defeets]

Ah? We do?

[now that's interesting

as he mixes himself some brightly colored mess]

Like what? Being incredibly beautiful?

[deontology]

[... Honestly.]

Self-absorbed dragon.

[Gross.

He sips his sake again, contemplative, rearranging his thoughts before he speaks.]

I meant that our reasons for fighting, while not precisely the same, are similar.

And that our intentions are similar as well. [He also hasn't forgotten the similarity of their backstories.] Likely for very similar reasons, at that.

[defeets]

Mm? You remember?

[Though the question is more to fill the space. Jae-ha hums lightly even as he shakes his drink together, then pouring it into a tall glass for himself. He lets his fingers drum against the counter for a moment, a melodic little note escaping his throat.]

I merely subscribe to my own standard of what's beautiful, and I can't let ugliness stand.

I still don't think I could stand in an official setting the same as you.... It sounds quite stuffy in there. The taste of the rebellious life didn't convince you to try it for longer?

[deontology]

[Yeah, that just gets a snort.]

That is not my role. I intend on joining the navy now that I am finished.

[To find a new place to fuck shit up, mostly.]

It seems to me the best way to serve my country now.

[But honestly:]

I am that sort of stuffy, remember?

[defeets]

[meanwhile

jae-ha is a bandit

sometimes

it depends on the day, really]

My memory is playing tricks on me for most of this conversation, I'm afraid. I remember a man with a vision for his personal squadron, fueled by loyalty to a country, but ultimately working within the confines of the role he was given rather than making his own.

So as you can imagine, I'm in the midst of making amendments to that.

[deontology]

[...Ah.

Well.]

You are rather behind, I'm afraid. Things have changed a great deal. [Punk, why do you think that is?]

The Yamainu's purpose has been fulfilled. We were able to accomplish our goals, and for that reason, I disbanded the squad.

[Except they like. Stuck with him anyway but details.]

My actions now do not reflect upon the Yamainu, but are rather actions I am taking by my own choice.

[defeets]

[ . . . yeah alright. Jae-ha thinks about that, trying to remember exactly what the purpose of Sousei's squad was. He realizes briefly that he never got the details, only that it was to protect the country. That was probably on purpose.

So he can't help but chuckle a bit, his disbelief coloring his words - ]

And they just let you?

[can you imagining abandoning your captain when he decides that he has more work to do because jae-ha can't]

[deontology]

[It was definitely on purpose.

As for that, though... don't call him out...!!

And, well. Sousei has to admit, if softly rueful:]

They... may have decided to join me on my new task regardless. [BUT THE SYMBOLIC DISBANDING STILL HAPPENED.]

[defeets]

Is this how you normally tell stories? Piece by piece, leaving the riveting details out? I can't say it's the best method I've ever seen put to practice......

[EVERYONE'S A CRITIC]

Or do I just have the pleasure of being your first audience?

[look he's just teasing but also,,]

[deontology]

[Wow.

Rude.

But also like, accurate. Sousei just huffs out a breath. And, tartly:]

I never claimed to be a masterful storyteller. Do you want the story or not?

[defeets]

Will I get it before I'm a pile of beautiful bones?

[why would his bones be beautiful]

[deontology]

Your bones will be the same as everyone else's.

[QUITE FRANKLY.]

Now shut up and listen.

[Wow.]

[defeets]

You've never seen a dragon's bones before.

[they could be made out of PURE DIAMOND

but alright fine. he makes a vague waving gesture with his drink, careful not to spill. tell your damn story, sousei!!]

[deontology]

[God Jae-ha you're so insufferable!!

Sousei just huffs out a breath at that (enough about your bones!!) and then instead:]

A drug, created through cruel, inhumane experimentation--one that was intended to grant eternal life, or longevity, or whatever it is such corrupt officials wish for. It...was not something anyone should have been meddling with.

[Orochi cells were far beyond human comprehension, and should not have been touched.]

It is only natural, then, that this greedy corruption needed to be laid properly bare, for all to see.