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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[This is why Goku doesn't mind admitting stuff like that to Hakkai. He always just kind of nods and accepts it, even when he disapproves. Gojyo always makes fun of him, and Sanzo tends to make it clear that he finds it extra annoying even if he doesn't smack Goku over the head. That's probably just something that happens when he's been Goku's teacher for as long as he has.

Goku hums a little bit to himself, letting his hands fall to his knees so he can idly drum his fingers there without making a lot of noise. He wouldn't want to bother Hakkai too much with that.]

D'you think you'd hafta fix 'em up a lot here? Th' monsters must be pretty strong, right? I can try ta make sure they can't cut me up too much!

[...Clearly Goku figures asking questions won't be as distracting to Hakkai as the drumming of his fingers.]

Oh, I assume so. [The monsters have been wickedly strong, powerful. Not what they're used to seeing.] I haven't had to do as much, though. Most I know don't leave the city too often.

[Hakkai you know like three people. But at least he's not wrong about that.]

Most of it has been minor repairs for the dojo - Ah. Hold still please. [The fidgeting. The fidgeting! He has to do the short bits now. All close to Goku's ears.]

Uweh?? Are they stronger'n th' youkai we fight back home??

[If Goku sounds just the tiniest bit excited about that, well... Don't mind him. He's not as bad as he used to be, but he still relishes in a good challenge!]

Ah-- [When Hakkai asks him to sit still, of course he has to obey. He even straightens up a little, his fingers gripping at his knees like that will help keep him from moving. And- Is he holding his breath?

He's holding his breath.]

I'm not sure if "stronger" is the right word...

[He's quiet for a while, working. Making sure it's all the same length - or as much as Goku's hair ever gets. If it's not perfect, it won't matter to Goku, of course. But Hakkai will notice!!]

Different, perhaps. Most recently, it was walking corpses, like in a zombie story. Giant insects have appeared... and a lot of times the monsters are, in fact, humans.

People who turn into monsters due to blood corruption.

Uweh? [Sorry, Hakkai. Goku's kind of turning his head so he can look at Hakkai at that last statement, eyes big as he blinks in confusion.]

But then if they're human, we shouldn't fight 'em, right? It ain't like the people Hazel brought back, so can we still bring 'em back to normal?

[He's not sure what this "blood corruption" is either, but he can only ask so many questions at a time (if he wants to have any hope of remembering the answer).]

Goku - [He has to pull the scissors back to keep from clipping Goku's ear.] Please hold still.

[He doesn't want a repeat of the "oh god I have ice blood" incident.]

I'm not sure if we can. Once someone has transformed... it doesn't sound as if they can be brought back.

[Which sounds awfully familiar, doesn't it.]

Ah-- Sorry...

[He turns back around obediently, this time with a small, thoughtful frown on his face and his eyebrows knitted together in concern. It does sound familiar. And he doesn't like it. Even back home Goku feels a little bad sometimes about having to kill so many youkai that have gone berserk, but then he just remembers that usually they've done a lot of really shitty things that mean they deserve it. And also most of them are attacking the Sanzo Party first. So.]

...That sucks.

Yes, it does. Very much.

[Especially since it seemed he'd been exhibiting signs of blood corruption... hm. But that had been taken care of. And they had safeguards, now.]

Gojyo did some research for us, though. He found out ways to prevent or even help cure corruption before it hits that point. I'm sure the three of us being around one another will be helpful. [It's hard to isolate yourself with friends like the Sanzo Party.]

So we'll know what to watch for. And how to help should it be necessary.

Oh... [He considers this for a second, looking thoughtful (and just barely managing to not tilt his head at the same time). And then he dares to look a little hopeful, putting on a tiny smile.]

So then... That's good, right?? At least we won't hafta fight each other, right???

Yes, I think it is.

I don't want to jinx us by saying we'll never have to fight one another, but we can hope for that.

[Don't worry too much, Goku, he's moving on to finishing up. You don't have to sit still much longer.]

Good!!

[YAY!]

[...He's definitely drumming his fingers again.]

What'd he learn?? Is it easy?

[It must be easy if Gojyo could learn it. So Goku will also get it with no problems, obviously!]

Oh, no. I fear it's extremely difficult. Even Sanzo would have trouble with it.

[Snip snip.]

[He's quiet for a bit, to let that all sink in. Or for dramatic effect. We're not totally sure here.]

[Then, finally, he steps back, hands on his hips. And declares:]

We have to talk about our feelings.

[Goku blinkblinks at that first part, eyes big. Something too difficult for any of them to do? He can't imagine what it would be. They've fought so many crazy things in their time, and they've always come out on top eventually, haven't they? So what--]

[He just... turns to stare at Hakkai for a second. For once, he's completely still.]

...Huh?? Really?

Yes, really.

I told you, it was a nearly impossible task.

[Maybe not for most people. But the gang? They talk about a lot of things. But feelings? They'd rather die.]

[It's just not what they do.]

[He just sits there frozen for another second or two. Staring. Blinking. Staring and then blinking.

He's trying to hard to imagine them all sitting around in a circle, sharing their feelings. Goku's a pretty open book, even when he doesn't want to talk about what's bothering him. But Gojyo? Hakkai? Sanzo??

Goku can't help himself. He just... starts to laugh.]

[Hakkai does his absolute best to keep a straight face. Make sure the seriousness of the matter comes across.]

[He... doesn't do very well, when Goku starts laughing too.]

It's - it's a very serious matter, Goku... [Yeah that's hard to say when you're tripping over your own words trying not to laugh.]

[There's no stopping him. Goku just keeps imagining this impossible scenario and he's absolutely losing it. The second he sees Hakkai even start to crack, all hope for recovery is lost. He doubles over and everything, arms wrapped around his stomach while his laughter rings out for miles.]

I-It's--!! You guys-- Nnnoo-- An'- An' Gojyo--?!

[In his head all he sees is Sanzo and Gojyo sitting with their legs crossed, facing each other. Telling each other "I'm sad because you hit me" and "I'm sorry for hitting you so hard" and "I wish you'd share your cigarettes when I run out of mine."

It's absurd. It's delightful.]

FEELINGS!!!

It - it isn't that funny. It's - a very dire problem...

[But that laughter is so damned contagious. He can't help himself. He has a hand clasped to his mouth, his eyebrows crinkling together.]

[He's trying to imagine forcing anything related to feelings out of Sanzo that weren't along the lines of "I fucking hate you". Or "I feel like I want to kill you". Gojyo? Well, Hakkai stood a better chance of hearing feelings out of him, but that was private. So...]

[They were so. so screwed.]

[It's a good thing Sanzo isn't here. He would absolutely be the one to get everyone here killed, just out of sheer spite over the idea of having to be open and honest with anyone.

It's also probably a good thing that Goku's haircut is done. Because he's on the verge of just... crumpling to the floor in a shaking, laughing heap. He's probably not likely to calm down any time soon. He just keeps trying to imagine this ridiculous, impossible world and failing.]

Hah-- Hakkai-- S-Stop laughing!!

[Yeah, because that's why he can't stop himself...]

I - I am trying - to!

[He really is making an effort. But now he's thinking about Sanzo swearing a blue streak about how much he hates everything here, and that healing corruption, purely out of the rage and spite the man is made out of.]

[Hey, he's not here, he gets to be the butt of all the jokes.]

You - aren't helping matters!

[But it feels good? In a weird sort of way, to lose his mind like this while laughing of all things.]

[Goku is....... not trying. He's not trying at all. He figures the only way to calm down is to get all the laughter out first. Hakkai actually making an effort to not burst out laughing as well is really just fueling him.]

C--Can you imagine-- [He gets the words out between his giggles, practically gasping for breath because this has taken all the wind out of him.] I-Imagine Sanzo-- talkin' 'bout wh-when he's sad--!!

[He can so clearly see Sanzo with his resting bitch face, standing there with a cigarette, speaking in that deadpan tone of voice he always uses. I'm sad, you assholes.

It makes Goku burst out laughing all over again.]

C-Creeeepyyyyyy!!!

Goku, please...

[It's not working. He can't smother down the laughter for much longer. Not with Goku howling like that. Sanzo talking about when he's sad is apparently too much. He can't even picture this. He can't picture any of them really being able to do it effectively enough to ward off corruption...]

[But maybe they can do this? Maybe this will be enough?]

I - I'm having trouble - breathing - [Because he's trying not to laugh.]

[He is now actually, literally, rolling on the floor laughing. Feet in the air, hands on his stomach, head thrown back onto the dirt. People in town can probably hear him. You'd think someone was tickling him from how uncontrollable that laughter is.]

B-Breathe, Hakkai! Breeeathe!!!

[Not like Goku's doing any better in the oxygen department. He's absolutely going to have hiccups when he finally settles down... Whenever that happens. Unless he passes out from lack of oxygen first.]

I'm -! I'm trying!

[Oh no, there goes Goku. Pitching over. No, this is too much.]

[Hakkai just gives up. He sits down, face pressed into his hands, his shoulders shaking. He's not outright howling like Goku is, but for him? This may as well be the same. When your default "I'm not sure what to say here" isn't "Um" but a dry, empty laugh?]

[Yeah, he's losing his shit.]

[It takes a solid couple of minutes. It's some combination of how ridiculous the idea of their little group of assholes sharing their feelings with each other is, and how weird their new circumstances are that makes Goku feels like all he can do is laugh about it until it's all been shaken out of him. But it does also speak volumes to how comfortably Goku feels like he can settle in, since at least some of his friends are right there with him. That's the most important thing for him.

Eventually Goku does manage to settle himself, his breathless, raucous laughter finally fading into little hiccupping giggles as he sprawls out on the floor. He finds himself just staring straight up at the leaves of the tree above them, a huge, satisfied grin still plastered across his face.]

Aww, maaan... That's sooo super funny.

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