deercountry | the one where makima pops bocchi the rock

[ but that’s also when she decides to pierce his wandering gaze with her golden stare, stepping aside and opening the door. ]

But why don’t you come in, anyway? [ she places her smile and tone, right there, as welcoming and confident. ] It looks like you could use some tea while you wait.

[ Unfamiliarity doesn't bother Robby; he doesn't have expectations, like Mob mentioning him to his older roommate, or her having reason to remember him even if he did. Nothing about him shifts until she announces that the boy is out, and he looks back at her with blink that's puzzled. Her tone odd, but he isn't going to scrutinise: plenty is odd in life.

Except he gets caught in her gaze, and it quickly fades, brief as it would have been anyway. He seems to think for a second, but only that before nodding his head as he steps through the threshold into the house. ]

--Thanks. I'm glad he's getting out and around. That's good.

[ He's not usually one eager to make conversation quickly after entering a house, but that Mob is getting out is good. Robby can hold back the questions he has, but that--that he wants to voice. ]

I told him to give himself some time off to sort things out.

[ she expects the teen to close the door behind him as he enters and she eases deeper into the house with her hands behind her back and chest exposed, half turned to him to encourage following. the dogs rush over to the new arrival as soon as the door clicks shut. they are very well trained, sniff at his feet, his pants, his— wherever dogs like to stick their snouts to say hello, before greeting him with wide canine grins. they’re very happy dogs. ]

Do you prefer black or green tea?

[ Robby does close the door if Miss Makima moves in first, polite to that amount. And he's polite to the dog--well-trained, but he's cautious, giving them 'cuse me' and small chuckles so he doesn't accidentally step on any paws. Not dismissing them entirely, but mindful.

He doesn't want to hurt a pup. :( ]

Um, green's fine, thanks. [ --ah. a hea bops him on the side of the leg, and he gives it a quick ruffle on the top of said doggy's head. Hello, nice to see you too.

But despite that initial remark, and the answer to the question, Robby will wait to be told where to sit, for the drinks to be made--to not start throwing out conversation in this time meant for sitting and settling. ]

[ green tea for him, and black for her. the water was already warm, she’s prepared it earlier in a pot, all that was left for her to do was pull up an extra tea cup and platter. she serves the little plates and cups first, placing it in front of robby and her soon-to-be seat, returning to the cupboards to serve the miniature sugar-cube container, and then the tea, poured with finesse into his cup and tea bag. the steam is humid and refreshing, and there’s even a little spoon for mixing, should he wish to. ]

So you’re Mob’s friend?

[ He gives his thanks, as is proper. Doesn't twitch in his seat, comfortable enough, but if with a slight lean forward and bowed head in the time before Miss Makima takes her seat. Still, the remorseful air doesn't completely leave him, even present in the edges of his tone as he replies: ]

Yeah. I've, uh, known him since he arrived, when he made the post looking for a roommate. He told me he met you. [ An uplift in his tone for the mention. ] I knew about his explosions pretty early on...we were trying to work on them and getting him feeling better about his powers. He can do cool thing, just--it's never 'cause he wants to. And then when things like this happen...

[ ...it's going to set him back. He falls quiet than finish the line, a sorrow tone in the words. He could continue with any prompting, or might with enough silence from Miss Makima.

But his eyes on are on the drink he hasn't yet picked up, using it as a place to fix his gaze. ]

[ makima smiles quaintly, allows her lips to quirk at the mention of her with a dip of her head to acknowledge what and who’s really helping him. robby was another squeaky toy for mob to play with but, hm . . . this one is making too much noise for her. it wouldn’t be harsh, or improper to remove him from the rest of the toys. just for a little while. until this toy can become a good dog, too.

her smile disappears once she brings her tea cup to her lips, sips slowly, tastes every bit of it, and doesn’t pull her eyes from the teen. not during, and not after she sets her cup back to its platter.

needs more sugar. ]

Oh . . . You knew—? [ gamechanger. he did more than know about it. he felt it. blood bonds of the familial type shared pain, emotions. if anything, robby could’ve felt the rumble before the storm came. she pauses, keeps her hands on her lap and presents him with a genuine question. ] So— where were you, when this happened?

I was in the dojo. [ When it happened, well--it starts before the explosion, doesn't it? Robby hesitates for a second, and then finally picks up his own drink, figuring he should explain. He doesn't know if Miss Makima knows the full picture, but: ] Mob left early to see his brother, and--we think he got attacked. [ There's a brow to his brow as he remembers, no, right--here was a beast there, wasn't there...?

His gaze avoids Miss Makima's in remembering, the memory of Mob on the ground. Swallowing, pushing it away. ] I, uh-- I knew something was wrong. We have a...bond. I went out, and he wasn't conscious. That's when it happened? It was like he was trapped in his own head--he wasn't the one moving himself.

[ ... ] I thought I could get through to him, but [ a long beat ] it didn't work.

[ The shame goes unspoken, why that bothers him, like he doesn't want to admit to it. The consequence behind it not working.

Mister LaRusso's body limp on the ground. ]

[ oh, this poor pup. she’s going to have to steer him— but she’s not as sorry as she could be. it’s not as if she’s using him to fight or anything. it won’t harm him the least bit. after all— it’s for mob. ]

Mm . . . [ makima feigns a thoughtful hum as she pulls away from her seat to face robby in full and cross her legs. the faltering disappointment in her lips and the contour of her brow speaks enough volumes. ] You knew.

[ knew and didn’t do “more”? tsk. and she doesn’t have to make the sound to play the part of disappointed adult. ]

This “Bond” . . . It’s sacred to the people here. Blessed by The Doorway, themselves, it means he was under your protection— Your responsibility, Robby.

Do you know what that means?

[ 'You knew.' She uses those words again, and they both have him confused, but his mind can pick up on the last time--he knew about the explosions. He knew about Mob being in danger. But he went out, didn't he? Right away. And he was trying to help--

All thoughts, a swirling feeling in the back of his throat, as the woman looks at him, complete attention. His protection, your responsibility-- ]

I went out, I found him as quick as I could--we've been trying to get him used to his powers. They never did this before.

[ He doesn't answer--he defends. A slight rise to his voice, a hurry to make himself clear; his brows are creased, eyes confused. What else could he have done? Mob was already out there, he was already on the ground by the time Robby found him. ]

Oh, Robby . . .

[ makima’s lips do not steel into something boiled and upset. they do something much more frightening. they pull up, just as her golden, unsettling eyes with too many spirals burn into his face whether he was looking or not. it was natural for humans to find their scapegoat, anything to be free of a guilt that sits so heavy of the shoulders that it twists them, eats them up. it destroys them.

and that is what makima wants for robby and his useless bond with mob. she will break it and take hold of it, just like she did with aki. denji, she forgets.

worst of all, her tone does not change; it is smooth, gentle, has no need to raise, and under those layers is seductive venom that pricks all over, almost unseen. ]

I understand your need for justification. You really did try your best. You had the best intentions.

[ after taking one more casual sip of her tea, the woman leans in, quiet, her voice even softer but with no less sharpness to it. it cuts. it hurts. but at the time it’s sweet and thick, just like honey. it confuses the mind, for sure. ]

But that’s not what I asked for.

[ but don’t worry— she’ll make it easier to answer. ]

You failed Mob, didn’t you?

[ Robby can't look away.

Lips parted, the defences that had slipped from them so quickly before--now, he can barely make them twitch as she speaks. Eyes on her, and he can't settle his gaze despite it not moving off from her face; somehow, it's dizzying. Sitting there with his hands gripping tight onto the porcelain of the tea cup, and a panic beats in rhyme with his heart.

I tried, I couldn't get through to him-- ]

Yes, [ he finally answers, awkwardly, and he can't justify himself; and though it may seem one, he adds on after a long beat: ] I wanted to help him.

[ It was for Mob. All of it, it was always for Mob. That's all he wanted to do.

Didn't that have to count for something? ]

Of course. I understand— And I’m happy to know you’re mature enough to own up to it.

[ she returns and dips her tea— they were just having a conversation. two adults. well, one adult, and one trembling young pitbull pup who has realized he’s done something wrong. such expressive eyes. it’s cute. she could tell he’s such a good boy already. he’s respectful around his elders and maybe reliable. she will see to that. ]

You could still help him, you know. [ with the tea cup of bee’s being set on her platter makima brings her hands to her lap, crosses her arms, then leans in a way that allows her head to rest in her hand, with her elbow propped upon her crossed thighs. ] We both want the same thing for Mob. It could be wise to join forces.

[ keep your friends close and your enemies closer, you know? ]

[ She compliments him, but there's nothing reassuring about it. Thoughts still on Mob, on himself; on the ideas he always cooked up for Mob, and that acknowledgement he had that he was always out of his depth. He's in a waiting stage for the next part--there has to be something that comes next, a solution--but what does come, his brows furrow just a pinch.

He's still confused, he's not sure, but: ]

What should we do? [ Robby's certain, at least, about helping. Still sitting with his own hands around his tea that sits on top of his knees so he doesn't have to lean to put it back down. ] You know what'll help?

I will.

[ some elaboration is due, maybe! makima thinks it’ll give the teen some peace of heart to that crestfallen pinch in his brows (even if she caused that, too). the woman places her elbows on the table and her hands together, braiding her fingers into each other between empty spaces in a wave-like roll. ]

I offered once before— But perhaps he wasn’t quite aware of the damage his abilities could cause, if left unattended. Luckily, [ she smiles, punctual and refined. ] my specialty within my home’s Public Safety division was ability control. I’m certain I could help him.

[ she speaks the truth. if she were to pass through a lie detector, it would come up clean. there’s nothing deceptive about her words. it’s how deep that truth actually runs that makes it terrifying, but no human would try and see deeper from the surface she offers.

it sounds like a dream come true, anyway. an angel that has come at the right time. ]

I know you care for Mob. So if you have any questions before I proceed, I’d be happy to answer them.

[ Ability control--it does sound like a dream come true, though if it does, why did Mob pass it up? Having control over his power is the thing he's always wanted, beyond not having his powers in the first place.

It's what makes Robby quiet as he thinks, trying to find the question to ask and then how to phrase it. But: ]

...is there a downside? Like-- a cost? How does it work?

[ Normally, he might be suspicious, but suspicion is for people who don't feel like they let their friend down so miserably. He didn't do anything, he knew--Mob was his responsibility.

Instead, the layer of hesitation comes forward for Mob. Would he be okay--? Mob wouldn't turn down such an offer a first time for no reason. ]

The way I see it, there are no downsides.

[ for her. and in her head, there isn't a downside anyway. not for shigeo, and not for anyone. they all win. people are safe, mob's power is under control, and mob is her's. she's certain they'll start yipping when it comes to their agency and "freedom", but really . . . they don't know what's best for them anyway.

but the boy thinks, and makima notices. she tips her head to the side like one who's observed an unwanted kink, and thus smooths it down with her voice. so firm and certain, and so very soft, like velvet draping off the shoulders. ]

Perhaps it was I who hadn't been clear as to what I could offer at the time, so that's on me. [ if that'd make anything more understandable. ] I have a feeling he understood it as more an external guidance.

[ but— no matter. but what does matter: ]

He's already agreed to what I want most of him: to be himself during the process. I'd take care of the rest.

[ but the binding, imprinting deal of the contract? that was between makima and shigeo. she wouldn't spill that to a soul. business was business, at least on her part. ]

[ So there's no downsides. She said she saw none, and considering what's happened, what downsides could there be? And if she only wants Mob to be himself--that's what Mob deserves. Not to be racked by guilt, or scared of what was a part of him.

Robby wonders what there is that he can do. He'd like to know more, but asking about the details now doesn't seem right. She's living with Mob, there's a sense of trust between the two enough for Robby not to pry too deeply, and with her seeming so certain about what she's offering--

she's got a handle without him, without them needing to team up. But she had offered, so Robby asks, if only to search for his place after all this: ] So... is there anything I can do to help him? [ of course, because she doesn't need to say as much: ] I'll see him, and let him know everything's okay. No one's mad at him.

[ I'll support him, is his own offer. He's wanted to let Mob know all that already, even if there's already been plenty of people saying it. But he wants to, too. He wants to see Mob, and be there for him. Maybe--maybe say sorry, even. ]

There is, and it may be the most difficult task— but no less important.

[ makima pauses with her hands together. she knows this will be “tough”, and shows concern in her eyes. she doesn’t smile. ]

Have you ever heard the saying “If you love somebody, let them go”? [ by khalil gibran. but she pulled that out of her ass for the occasion. ] It’d be best to keep a certain distance for the time being, until we know he’s stable. The last thing I’d want is more harm upon both of you, and not only in the physical sense.

[ the poor thing can hardly remember daniel and feel panicked. do we want another one of those?

we do not. ]

I need him focused in places I cannot reach. [ she puts her hand on the teen’s shoulder, dips her head to meet his eyes— and it is there, where her smile begins to bloom an intoxicating persuasion. ] Keep your eyes on him. Guide him rationally, not emotionally. This, [ is the first step to breaking a pact. ] is the greatest help you could give.

[ maybe her words were wrong. maybe they would sound blatantly wrong to someone, but why is it that she could make it sound so, so true? ]

[ If you love somebody, let them go.

Robby hears Miss Makima's words, but he can't predict where they lead; even with a saying popular, their meaning more than apparent, the conclusion--there's a flicker of disappointment, uncertainty in his eyes at the idea of separation. A conflict between his part in events (he knew, she said--and was Mob worse than he realised? Even if he was going out...), how he should approach the younger guy. Maybe he did need some more time.

It's a conclusion, a thought, that Robby might need more time to consider. But when Miss Makima looks at him, a golden hue that burns to look at--she's right.

Why couldn't she be right?

It takes a moment for his mouth to work, lips ajar, twitching with the words he's trying to find, but eventually, carefully: ]

What should I tell him?

[ To guide him, rationally. ]

The truth.

[ it's not too hard to piece two and two together; separation and distance being key only meant promoting such, as much as it hurt— and as much as makima is promoting the fact that all of this was a great deal of robby's fault. he's done such a good job owning up to her, she's certain that with the right lead, he will own up to shigeo. ]

Will you do that for me?

[ The truth. He struggles with it, knowing what that is--the protest that had been in him before wanting to push itself up Robby's throat, but it doesn't make it that far. He'd fiddle with his hands if he wasn't holding the cup, and instead presses the pads of his fingers against them. ]

... Okay. [ But Robby does answer, despite the more hesitation; the lowering of his gaze speaking of the guilt that comes with it. The guilt that has to be there, if she's right about this too.

(And she will be--it'll worm itself inside him. What did he ever know about helping someone like Mob? He turned their training into games. He was stupid.) ]

I will, [ he adds on, as reinforcement. Looking at Miss Makima, rolling his lips together, not smiling, though trying to appear agreeable. ]

Excellent. [ and that's all there was to it. closing the verbal pact up with a little golden bow, she places a warm hand on his shoulder as she prepares to move out of her seat. ] You won't carry the burden alone. I'm with you in this, okay?

[ the only difference was that she didn't feel a lick of guilt. she's carrying on as if this was a simple, sealed business deal. oh, but his cup . . . has mostly been left untouched. makima brings her fingers to the mug to inspect the heat. ]

Your tea is getting cold— do you want me to heat it up for you?

Edited 2023-04-19 12:33 (UTC)

Uh- [ He looks at the cup, entirely forgotten as anything more than sometimes a thing to hold. There's nothing enticing about drinking it, either--his thoughts distracted, and he blinks with some furrowing of his brows as if in confusion as he thinks. ]

I should probably go, in case Mob comes back. I can take it into the kitchen and finish it. [ You know, quickly. He'll even wrap his fingers around the cup. ] Sorry--

[ Robby doesn't hurry to stand, but he can now, unless Miss Makima interrupts him. ]

Please.

[ “stay”, says both her smile and the reach her hand makes for his arm. ]

I know when he comes back. You can take the time you need to finish it, and heating it up should only take a minute. [ her dogs, at least a few of them, are crowding around the boy’s feet. sniffy sniffy— ] What’s that, Tiramisu? You don’t want to say bye-bye to the new friend?

[ her voice is playful and bouncy in her now baby-talk with the dogs . . . one of them woofs, while she prepares the stove for heating. ]

the one where makima pops bocchi the rock

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a wrap....? :)

wrap 🥹