deercountry | A May Arrival from the East

Entry tags:

A May Arrival from the East

Who: Goku & YOU!
What: Goku has arrived! And is sitting on the beach, staring back out at the ocean. Still naked.
When: early May
Where: on the beach!
Content Warnings:nothing yet, will mark threads as needed!

[This has been a markedly more confusing day for Goku than usual. He doesn't really remember how it all started, but he does have some hazy memories of swimming in the ocean, of being spoken to by someone in robes. They're not super clear, more like some half-remembered dream from several days ago, except he's pretty sure whatever that was actually did happen mere hours ago. He's also pretty sure that he hadn't really been himself at the time. He must have gone berserk again, because his hair is all long again at the back, except nothing bad happened; which is weird.

What Goku knows for absolute certain is that he'd been asleep on this beach, stark naked, and there was no one around when he woke up, just a bag cradled in his arms like it was the most important thing in the world. His head still feels like it's in a weird kind of fog, as if someone had taken all the contents of his mind and tossed them around in his head like a salad. Which- gross. Salads are so boring. There's never really any good meat in most salads. Maybe they're okay when you're right about to eat, like they're just something to get you ready to really chow down on something good. But how can anyone eat just the salad like it's the entire meal? That's so--

--Wait, what was he thinking about again?

He hopes one of the guys comes around soon. He's pretty sure that's why he keeps looking out at the ocean like it's bound to give him answers. His friends are okay, and they'll probably show up real soon to properly tell him what's going on. Yeah.

Goku lets out a sigh, feeling his stomach growl out a complaint as he clutches his bag tighter against his chest.]

I'm hungryy....

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[You probably made a lot of friends]

[Hah.]

[His smile tightens. In that classic Hakkai way. The way Gojyo reads like a book. And shakes his head. And deliberately does not comment on the "friends" part. What friendships he did tentatively broach have probably been burned by now.]

He's correct. I arrived last fall... so it's been roughly eight months.

[While he may not know it as well as Gojyo does, Goku definitely recognizes the shift behind the smile. He sees the presence of something in the way Hakkai shakes his head. It gives him pause, makes him blink owlishly. And then he remembers--

He's had a rough time.

The phrasing Gojyo used echoes in his head, and for a second Goku frowns. Eight months is way too long. There's concern in his eyes as he searches Hakkai's face, eyeing the faint imprint of vines that crawls across his cheeks, just before he reaches out for his hands. And he smiles, in a way that's much warmer and less cheeky than his usual grin.]

Well, now you got me an' Gojyo ta keep you company! S'just the three of us lookin' out for each other again- [Just like the youkai village] -but we'll make it work! But make sure to introduce me to that coldblood pal o' yours, okay?? Gotta stay useful in a fight, y'know!

[It shouldn't surprise him that Goku grasps his hands. Or that he's more perceptive than anyone ever expects. But it does. He blinks, but doesn't pull his hands out of Goku's grasp. And, honestly, the thin, pale traces of vine along his cheeks fade out - leaf by leaf.]

[Funny what not isolating yourself completely does to cure corruption.]

I... yes. [Hold on, his brain is rebooting.] Yes, you're right. You're both here now, and we should be focusing on that.

[Because clearly nothing can go wrong now.] We'll move back into the city soon - Gojyo's found a house to fix up. And perhaps both of you can come to the dojo with me.

[That makes Goku beam, pleased to see that his efforts are working. He'll never be as eloquent as Hakkai when it comes to cheering his friends up, but at least he has a method all his own. Whether he's aware of it or not.]

See?? You're lookin' better already! [He has no idea what he did or said that made those vines fade away, but he's glad they did.]

Uweh? We can get a place in the city? [Goku blinks around at the little camp for a moment, releasing Hakkai's hands so that he can twist himself and get a look at everything.] You don't have to live here??

Am I? [There it is - a nearly honest smile. A nearly honest laugh.] Gojyo said something similar soon after he got here.

[... The transformation back had been a bit more dramatic then, but still. The parallel is there.]

We certainly can. There's no monetary system here - everything works on bartering, so we don't need to worry about lacking money this time. [Since they once again don't have the Gold Card.]

... Ah, yes. We don't have to stay out here, no. This was... it was a temporary home.

Yeah! The leaves on your face just went away!

[Clearly Gojyo did the heavy-lifting when it came to making Hakkai feel better. Goku's just the last of the clean up crew.]

Bartering... Oh, y'mean like trading! So if I help carry heavy stuff around for people they'll give us food? [That's... also a lot like the youkai village.]

Mmmm, if Gojyo's lookin' for a new house, I can stay there too, right? Can I have my own room???

They did -? [Hold on, he's got to check. Pulling out his communicator to use as a mirror and, sure enough, there's nothing on his face any longer.] How odd... I should thank you then, for your hard work.

[And he'll do that! By fishing out the rest of the mushroom jerky. Here you go, Goku. Your favorite reward.]

And yes, they will. Offer your time and effort and they'll repay in kind. [Or shiny rocks. Those work too.] Of course you can. I'll ask him to make sure there's three rooms instead of just two.

[Goku just beams at him - and then of course as soon as food is being offered he has to leap on it. He takes the jerky with an excited little cheer and a laugh, immediately chomping down on one of the strips.]

Awesome! Thanks!!

[He's still munching while he thinks this over. It'll be a lot like their time in the village, then. He helped out at the shop and carried things around for the villagers, he'd even helped with meals from time to time and everyone had been pretty grateful. It'll probably be the same deal here. And--

Wait. Three rooms?]

Eh? We'd all be gettin' different rooms??

[Once Goku chows down, Hakkai can't help the smile. It's much easier to do, since they showed up. Funny how that worked.]

[He stands, brushing his hands off on his pants, to start packing up the campsite. It wouldn't hurt to bring everything. They won't need a tent, but it may come in handy sometime in the future. Also, there's too much food and water to waste leaving out in the woods. Cooking supplies too-]

[Uh. What kind of question is that. He stops, turning to look at Goku like he's grown another head.]

Well... yes? The houses here aren't terribly small... I'd assume everyone would want their own space after so long on the road.

[Goku stares back at Hakkai, eyes big while he keeps munching. He's not sure why Hakkai's looking at him like that, so he'll just have to assume that there's some vital piece of information that Goku isn't privy to. That's usually how it goes, anyway.]

Oh... [He talks around the jerky in his mouth, so his voice is slightly muffled.] I guess I just thought you an' Gojyo'd be sharin'.

[Was that not how it was when they were living together before? It was so long ago now that Goku honestly can't remember.]

[ why is the ocean so far away he would like to turn around and walk directly into it rather than think about that in the face of his awful terrible realization a while ago because clearly that is a horrible thing and he does not deserve it and it would only make trouble for someone else and potentially ruin his friendship with gojyo obviously that is the only way it could go there's no other possible way in this world or any other because that's a good man and he is a piece of shit who turns into a murderous monster beast oh my god he didn't even think of sharing a whole ass room even though they were in a single tent the last few however long it's been and here's goku just dragging it out into the open like it's no big deal oh you sweet summer child this is the worst thing ever and ...]

Edited 2023-05-14 04:51 (UTC)

[ Ahem. ]

I guess we'll have to see what happens once the house is fixed up again.

[what the fuck kind of non-answer is that, Hakkai.]

I already imposed so much in his home, as it is. [RIGHT THEN.] When you've finished the jerky, come help get the other supplies out of the tree.

[UWAH?! HE'S AVOIDING IT HE'S AVOIDING IT.]

[Goku blinks owlishly, confused. He doesn't understand. There is only one tent, and they've been camping here together. Was that not right? Did Goku say something wrong? Did he misunderstand something? Why is this the way Hakkai's responding? Is he mad?!

OH NO! Was it supposed to be a secret?!

He frowns around his jerky, looking down at where the end of the strip is rapidly disappearing into his mouth so he goes a little cross-eyed. He's definitely visibly fretting, making a soft distressed noise while he just... focuses on eating all the jerky in front of him.]

O-Okay. B-By the way, it's real good, Hakkai! What's this jerky made out of??

[Poor Goku. It's not his fault at all. But Hakkai's shoved himself so far into the Denial Hole, he's not even sure how to start making it less weird. Or less like he's upset - he isn't. Not with Goku anyway.]

[... Thank everything for food. For Goku's change of subject. When he answers, he seems much more at ease, much more relaxed than a minute ago.]

Hm? Oh. Mushrooms, I believe!

[Yeah that's Normal Hakkai again.]

[Goku manages a little smile back, though there's an extremely obvious nervous edge to it. Hakkai sounds like he's back to normal, but when Goku has no idea what just happened he can't help but worry that he's going to set him off again by accident.]

O-Oh! Uh- It's real good! I didn't know people could make jerky outta mushrooms! That's real cool!

[Let's stick to talking about food. Food is good. Food is safe. Food is Goku's favorite thing in the whole world.]

I'm glad you like it.

[As if Goku would dislike food.] A lot of things are mushroom-based here. They even make tea out of it.

[Yeah, food is a good topic, it's true. But also - ]

If you're done, do you mind climbing up there? [He gestures up in the tree, where their food is hanging. You know, in case of Monster Bears.]

[Goku can dislike food! If it tastes or smells awful.]

Eh? Why's everything mushrooms? What happened to the cows??

[DOES HE HAVE TO GIVE UP MEAT.

That request does make Goku get up to his feet (maybe just a tad faster than he would normally), shoving the rest of the jerky he's currently munching on into his mouth. He does nod and make a little noise in the affirmative, just before crouching down and launching himself up into the tree branches. And- Oh hey, there's stuff up here!]

Hakkaaaii! [He picks up the bag with a smile.] It's this one, right??!?

[Or if it's Sanzo's ramen.]

Livestock is difficult to keep here. Apparently the monsters and Beasts see farm animals as easy prey.

[There are chickens. And fish. And pigs probably. But cows seem hard to come by. He's finishing up breaking down the tent. Something to do with his hands. Something to keep his mind busy, instead of... uh. What just happened.]

Hm? Yes! That's it. Thank you!

Uweh?! Should I do some work protectin' th' cows, then??

[Goku hops back down from the tree with ease, carefully cradling the bag in his arms. As he straightens up he looks to be at a loss for a moment. Hakkai looks busy right now, soooo...]

Hakkai, where should I put this?

Oh. You know, that's not a bad idea. I'm sure the farms would appreciate the help.

[It's really not a bad idea. If anyone could take on the Beasts and Monsters, it's probably Goku.]

[He turns from the tent, folding the tarp and blanket.] Over by the fire, please! It should be fine while we're here.

Yeah?? [Goku looks pleased as punch. He came up with a good idea! He got praised by Hakkai! Take that, Gojyo!] I'll go ask 'em, then!

[Cheered up significantly by all this, Goku goes to put the bag down near the fire as instructed. He turns back to Hakkai when he's done, and for a second his eye catches on the single blanket that's being folded up. One tent. One blanket. And it's supposed to be a secret?]

Hey Hakkai... Are we gonna be stayin' in town tonight??

[Goku it is not a competition why are you like this.]

I can point out a few of the farms on our way back in. [And we're packing up the folded bits.]

We might. If not the house, then I think my old room at the boarding house should still be open. Why?

[With Gojyo? It's always a competition. At least that's how Goku sees it.] Cool! Thanks, Hakkai!

[He's not sure what else he should be doing now, so he sits back down on one of the rocks and just watches Hakkai keep going about his business.]

I dunno, I guess I just figured we'd be campin' out tonight like we usually do. Will all of us fit in your room?

Ah, I see. Well... we've all managed to sleep in Jeep before. There's plenty of room on the floor, as well.

[There's going to be a fight over the bed, he's sure of it. Between those two...]

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