deercountry | (closed) january catchall

[ It's easier to ask an opening question than to get to the real purpose. Robby has to think--because he knows what he should say, what he messaged Chizuru about, but the truth is hard. Bothering her this late as it is--isn't this a time when she should be thinking about bed soon? ]

something happened

im at larussos right now

i found out some stuff

[ But they both promised each other honesty, even if it is hard to get out, feels dumb to get into. ]

[ Chizuru did figure that there was a shot at it being something a little more serious, but when she receives this text back - with all its vagueness - she's absolutely sure that it is serious.

So while she doesn't fully get out of bed, the girl does move to sit up, realising that she can't be in any position where she might risk falling asleep midway through this. If something serious is going on, she wants to help Robby. ]

what sort of stuff
?
do you want to talk about it
i can listen
it is not that late

[ Does he want to talk about it? ...That's why he's texting her in the first place, isn't it?

Because in all the secrets everyone's been keeping, it's what he's been doing that's hit him as hard. Unknowingly, but it doesn't make it any easier on him, make him feel any less guilty. It takes Robby a moment to reply (it'd be so easy not to, wouldn't it?), but: ]

in december i found out my dad died here 4 times. today i found out the guy ive been training under was the one who killed him
because he said some dumb shit
he made fun of his nails

[ So he killed him.

And he can feel the rage building, along with the tears. He died over that. ]

that is so awful

[ It's not that she isn't used to it. People dying over little things, or for no reason at all - it happened all the time back home. Chizuru witnessed so many people being cut down over less, sometimes not even having said a thing.

But that doesn't mean she's lost her sense of how precious human life is. How awful it is for someone's life being ended like that.

Even here, where people come back.

And on top of that-- it's Robby's father. Even with the difficult relationship they seem to share.. who would want to see their father dead? ]

why would that person kill him and then train you
did he have any ill intentions towards you
?
if so i am so glad nothing happened to you robby

[ At least there's that, even if every single other bit of this situation sounds awful. ]

[ It takes Robby a moment to respond. Truthfully right now, he hates anything that makes him think of Maul as decent, or anything that leans that way. But: ]

no. he didnt know he was my dad until the post he made
w the letters

[ ... ]

he helped me
but he cut my dad down over nothing
and i dont know
i feel like shit thinking about it
i shouldnt have trained with him

[ It's what feels the worst: that he was training with his dad's killer all this time. That he liked him even, in a way.

He wishes he could take it all back, tear up that part of his history and pretended it never existed. ]

[ She could say that it's not like he knew.

But then again - Robby knows the same thing. It's not like he knew about any of this when that person helped him. But sometimes even that knowledge just doesn't stop you from feeling bad over it. (Chizuru, a person prone to being down on herself really easily, knows this very well.) ]

hold on

[ It might be why she sends this to him, rather than any reassurances that might not help Robby's mind be any less hard on himself. ]

i will come over

[ Sure, it's a little late for that, but thankfully it seems like the odd cracks that have suddenly been showing up in the ground have stopped today.. so Chizuru figures she can probably make it over safely, especially when she knows where the dojo is. ]

is there a way i can come in without waking up mister larusso
?

[ Look.. He seemed like a relatively older man, especially by Chizuru's time's standards! He's probably asleep already, she figures!! ]

are u sure?

[ He wasn't expecting--or even thinking about--Chizuru to offer to come over, and he knows she must be by asking, but Robby's caught by surprise. It might not be too late either (depending on your definition of late), but it could still be dangerous... ]

u can come in the front door
or i can meet u in the dojo
if u want to
will u be careful?

[ He doesn't want to risk her bumping into a beast over this. Would meeting her in person make much of a difference to his mood than texting over omni? ...but he's not denying her unspoken offer, either. (Her rather decided offer, even.)

Well, he doesn't think Mister LaRusso would mind either way. And he can be quiet about moving around. ]

i am sure
and i will be careful
do not worry
i know the way

[ And with how long she's been in this place, Chizuru knows the safest ways to get around town. It helps that she hasn't spotted some major threat out there yet today, nor has she heard of one over the network, so she figures it should be relatively safe enough out there for her to make her way over. ]

i do not want to intrude though so i will come to the dojo

[ The upsides of knowing the side path around the house.. ]

can you wait there for me
?
i will not leave you waiting too long

ok
but ill have my omen come meet u
so look out for him

[ Because no one can argue over an omen going outside and using their sense to find a Chizuru out at semi-late at night. :( Or so Robby hopes, since he's going to have Lucas go out and keep an eye out for her along the road he's sure she'll be; shrouded in the shadows of the streets, but if this good boy is allowed to meet her, he'll turn on his eyes for extra light, and to make himself visible.

A good boy who will lead her the way to the dojo, with the side gate waiting opened for her, and the sliding doors slightly parted to give Robby a view of the outside. As much for Chizuru as for him, to let him look out at the sky despite the cold it lets in. Even if Mister LaRusso had heard him get up, he can tell him that he's alright (no, he'll be fine, he doesn't need a drink, he just wants to meditate for a while).

Dressed down in his pyjamas, which are just sweatpants and a short-sleeved shirt, but with his usually pulled back hair hanging down his face in a near bob (thanks, Mob....). ]

[ There's no protest against the Omen coming out to meet her. There's just a quick reply, probably just an 'alright' and how she'll see him soon-- and then Chizuru is already on her way.

At least she took her own precautions as well, which will become pretty obvious once she's led to the dojo, making sure to carefully and quietly close the gate behind her when she walks into the garden. When she turns the corner to be visible from the open door, it does seem like Chizuru made sure to put on a more darker-coloured coat - both against the cold that still lingers in the air, especially at night, and to camouflage herself a little better. Her hair is pulled up into a ponytail for practicality, and her own Omen - a tiny dark bird that she doesn't have out quite as often, but which Robby has seen before back when Chizuru was blind - is sitting on her shoulder. ]

Hi. [ She softly says when she spots the boy. There's a smile on Chizuru's face, but nothing over the top, given the seriousness of the topic that brought her here. Still, she does want to greet her friend with a smile, and a moment later the girl is already moving to sit down next to him. ]

Sorry that this is so sudden. It's just.. I really wanted to see you.

[ It just didn't feel right talking about things that heavy over text, especially when Chizuru isn't used to that way of communicating, even after a year in this place.

This feels much better, especially when it means she can share her presence with Robby. ]

[ We love a Chizuru that practices safety.

Robby's omen keeps outside once Chizuru goes in, standing in watch to wait for her (as if it needs to make sure she even steps through the threshold of the doors fine), and then turning so to sit on the outdoor steps to keep watch over the garden. As for Robby, he offers Chizuru a smile back when she makes an appearance, a small "Hi" returned too. He tucks in his leg on the side she sits, and now that she's there, her presence is welcoming, Robby finds; he feels an inkling to lean towards her, but he doesn't quite yet.

But it's there in how he inclines his head towards her, looks at her from the corners of his eyes. ]

It's nice. [ Like this, he doesn't say but implies to, and asks: ] How was your day?

[ Compared to his. ]

Oh.. More or less the usual. [ It's not said in a negative sort of way though. Especially when Chizuru clarifies with a very, very soft giggle: ] The good kind of usual.

[ Because that's the best they can sometimes get in Trench, right? A day where you don't have to deal with monsters or any other sort of danger. A day where things are as normal as they can be in a city like this.

The little bird on her shoulder is quiet. It even kind of seems like it might have fallen asleep by now..

Chizuru herself is very much awake though despite the hour - and despite being the sort of polite good girl who goes to bed early. But there's so much to focus on with Robby's circumstances that her mind doesn't feel sleepy in the slightest.

Instead she smiles at him, her hand moving to seek out his own until she's holding it. Her hand is a little cold from having traveled through the cold to get here, but it's starting to warm up already. ]

Did you have trouble sleeping because of everything..?

[ His hand is easy to find, warmer than her own. It makes the slight chill on them noticeable to Robby, that after he lets Chizuru take his, wrapping his own fingers around hers (a small warm smile, something soft in his chest), he tucks the back of her hand against him, to give it a little help. ]

I didn't try, [ he confesses, about him and sleeping. A small smile tugged at her, before he angles his head to look at the floor. ] It was just...I had this whole day planned out, and it turned into nothing. [ It turned into a big mess, but it left him feeling hollow, going between burning and burning out. ] My birthday's in a couple of days, and me and Tory had the dinner planned. [ That Chizuru was definitely invited to. ] And now...

I don't know, [ he says softly, but admits: ] I think I was feeling lonely.

[ Between this, and 2B going back to the sea--he wanted to reach out to someone, even if it was just through text.

And Chizuru was the name he scrolled to. ]

[ There's a sympathetic look in Chizuru's eyes as she looks at the other. She gets what it's like, really - when you have so many hopes and expectations, so many things to look forward to, and then it all suddenly collapses. It often was the nature of things back home, since war doesn't exactly wait until you've had the chance to get some fun things done.

But she also knows that this sort of thing is always hard to deal with. No matter the specific circumstances. ]

I can stay here for a while. [ It makes those words easy to say, despite the fact that it's only getting later. Chizuru will do her best to get home safely all the same, even if she stays here for long enough that she'd have to make her way back in the middle of the night.

It's truly something that can't bother her in the light of how much she wants to be here for Robby right now. ]

I know it won't give you back all the fun things you were looking forward to, but.. [ She smiles. A little sadly, but still a smile. ] I'm still here. Even if so much changed so suddenly. You're not alone.

I know.

[ He isn't alone. He doesn't feel alone right now, with Chizuru there and her kind words--words that finally make Robby give in and lean against her, head tipping to hers and his hand squeezing her own. It's impossible to be lonely when there's somebody right beside him, a person he trusts; with their promises made to keep one another standing.

Robby doesn't feel bad then, indulging in Chizuru's presence. Though how long she might stay does make him realise that she'll have to go back out there in the dark and cold, and he does feel he should offer, ] I'll walk you back when you go. ...You could always stay over.

[ He isn't sure if she would want to without a change of clothes or all those fussy things that don't matter, but would he give up his bed for her? Sure. He wants to throw the option out there anyway. ]

I can stay if you want.

[ Sure, there'd be a few logistics to take care of - but nothing that feels like it's impossible enough to do in the face of Robby's wellbeing right now. It's not even like there's just a small thing going on here, after all. They've shared talks about troubling relationships with fathers before, but.. Chizuru knows that you still worry about them, even when your relationship with them is hard. God knows she's imagined her dad having died somewhere so many times too when she went out to look for him - and it was terrifying each time.

But it actually happened to Robby.

So she shifts to accomodate his leaning, apparently not minding the physical contact at all. Especially since Chizuru continues to hold on to his hand as well while she speaks. ]

It's better than being alone, right..? And I want to be with you. [ There's no doubt about that in her mind. Robby has been there for her so often. This is one of her chances to do the same in return. ] I can let Scorpia know I'm staying here tonight.

[ Huh? Huh. ]

You're sure? [ He's had this semi-surprised look on his face since Chizuru opted for the second option--one he didn't think she would take, but probably because he realises that she doesn't know this place isn't packed with spare rooms. But that isn't a problem either, he comes to accept, where even as he asks her certainty, he's looking back (presumably in some direction of his room) and continues, ] --okay, I can let you borrow my bed. And some clothes. But Mister LaRusso's going to make you breakfast if you do.

[ There's a small smile at that, and he knows he'll have to, uh, explain that--but he'll be honest. He has some faith in the man that he won't get any funny ideas if he tells him the truth.

Even if he's never had someone stay with him before, just because--just for him. ]

[ The moment he's asking whether she's sure, Chizuru is already nodding. It's true that she doesn't realise that there aren't exactly rooms to spare here at the moment, but that doesn't feel important to her anyway. Nothing could be more important than being by her best friend's side when he needs her the most.

Everything else? Well, that can be figured out. ]

Not if I beat him to it. [ Look at that. Cheeky Chizuru. What a rare treat.

It might be though that she's doing it on purpose, pulling out a bit of attitude and a smile for Robby's sake. To make all of this feel a little lighter.

To let him know that they can still have this, even when there's so much heaviness weighing down on Robby's shoulders. ]

But.. you know, I'm not going to chase you out of your bed. I could always sleep on the couch, or on the floor somewhere.. [ It's surprising how low your standards for sleeping spots get when you're used to a compound with hunderds of men who all need spots to sleep every night. This girl could probably fall asleep absolutely anywhere at this point. Even while sitting up. ] But I definitely want you sleeping in a bed tonight!

[ Oh. It's a small cheeky comment, but from Chizuru it brings the edges of his mouth up against his cheeks, a small quiet laugh. Really, he doesn't doubt Chizuru would want to.....the girl loves cooking.

Both of the options she gives though for her own sleeping conditions are less than stellar, in Robby's mind. She shouldn't have to sleep on the couch, and she definitely won't be sleeping on the floor. Which leaves, if he has to be in his bed tonight: ]

Theen... how about you share the bed with me? [ A pulled mouth, raised brows, and can your modest sensibilities handle it, Chizuru? And he doesn't think he needs to say it, but he can't help himself: ] --Just as friends. [ ... ] But there's room.

[ And he'd rather she slept somewhere that isn't going to possibly give her a sore neck. ]

[ There's definitely a bit of modest sensibilities to it. After all, even with the little space they had back home at the headquarters, the Shinsengumi always made sure that she could sleep free from contact with anyone else - if not just to hide the fact that she actually was a girl from most of those people.

But.. on the other hand, Robby is making sure to add just as friends to that. And he wouldn't do anything strange, she knows that much.

So even though it's a little new, and.. a little weird..

She could at least try, right? It's better than leaving Robby all alone tonight. ]

O-Of course. [ A slight stammer, but the way she nods at him isn't really reluctant. ] If you think that won't be bad..? I've never tried it before.

[ A tiny pause, and then she adds as she slowly seems to realise: ]

Maybe it could be good for you.

[ To know there's someone that close to him, when he's dealing with so much. ]

[ Good for him? The idea catches Robby off-guard, considering it; glad Chizuru doesn't sound that bothered by the idea but-- ]

Maybe? [ --he's still thinking about that 'good for you' idea. A little curious, a little amused. ] I haven't had sleepovers since I was young. Most of the time you slept on the floor together, with your own blanket.

[ He looks at her from the corner of his eye, a pinched smile, playing with their held hands a little with a small bump. ]

Sleeping on a bed sounds way better.

Is.. a "sleepover" where you sleep together in the same place..?

[ Look at that. Even in situations like these, Chizuru is still slowly learning about modern things - though she's careful enough to ask Robby for confirmation, rather than wanting to assume.

Though she does add: ]

In that case.. I think I may have had many sleepovers...

[ That's not really how it works, Chizuru. But while she sounds kind of thoughtful as she says that, perhaps wanting to keep things on this subject a little to keep Robby from having to think about anything more painful, she adds with more enthusiasm: ]

But I think this sleepover with you might be my favourite one! [ Already. Apparently. ]

[ Wow, Chizuru. ]

...Your garrison arrangement was more of a shelter situation than a sleepover. [ Robby thinks? There's no judgment though, but Robby does sound amused. How can he not?? Comparing an army station to a sleepover... ] But that's high praise, considering we haven't done anything fun. Sleepover's need food and movies and fun, too. It's about what you do before you go to sleep, too.

[ Listen to Robby sounding so sure. What's a good sleepover without all the frills?

At least he seems distracted from everything that brought Chizuru over, for the time being. ]

[ Chizuru doesn't comment on Robby's correction about her situation - she believes he'd know this sort of thing far better than she would, anyway - and instead on what comes after. On the way she shows him a smile. Perhaps a little too bright for the circumstances, but..

Robby is bright for her so often. This time she wants to be the one to be bright for him. ]

I'm having fun already though. Because I'm with you!

[ S-Sappy... How does this girl say these things without flincing? Who knows. It's probably that she believes them - and this month she only feels more compelled to make sure Robby knows how amazing he is. ]

Do you want us to head to your room then? Even if you can't sleep just yet, we could get comfortable and talk. It's got to be more comfortable than staying in here.

[ This is a level of sap Robby isn't expecting, even from the usually complimenting and kind Chizuru; it's a little baffling, but he just chuckles lightly from it, gives their hands one more bump against the side of his leg. ]

Alright. But you can't judge the decor--I didn't put it together.

[ Is Chizuru going to get a decoration joke? Regardless, he releases their hands and stands up, offering a hand to Chizuru if she hasn't yet stood herself. ]

Do you need anything? I'll grab some clothes from my room; I'll show you the bathroom on the way so you can change in there.

[ Since then she won't have to worry about telling Robby she's ready if she were to change in the guest bedroom. But if there's anything she might like before that, Robby figures he could always busy himself with that while she gets stuck with some sweatpants and a band t-shirt.

He knows he has plenty of those in his bag. ]

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